Luke 24

The Resurrection

1 ¹But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, ²taking the spices they had prepared.

2 And they found ³the stone rolled away from the tomb,

3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, ⁴two ⁵men stood by them in dazzling apparel.

5 And as they were ⁶frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, ⁷while he was still in Galilee,

7 ⁸that the Son of Man ⁹must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and ¹⁰be crucified and on ¹¹the third day rise."

8 And ¹²they remembered his words,

9 and returning from the tomb they ¹³told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

10 Now it was ¹⁴Mary Magdalene and ¹⁵Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,

11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and ¹⁶they did not believe them.

12 But ¹⁷Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw ¹⁸the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

On the Road to Emmaus

13 That very day ¹⁹two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem,

14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

16 ²⁰But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.

18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was ²¹a prophet ²²mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

20 and ²³how our chief priests and ²⁴rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

21 But we had hoped that he was ²⁵the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now ²⁶the third day since these things happened.

22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. ²⁷They were at the tomb early in the morning,

23 and ²⁸when they did not find his body, they came back saying that ²⁹they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

24 ³⁰Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

26 ³¹Was it not necessary that ³²the Christ should suffer these things and enter into ³³his glory?"

27 And ³⁴beginning with ³⁵Moses and ³⁶all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. ³⁷He acted as if he were going farther,

29 but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and ³⁸the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and ³⁹blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

31 ⁴⁰And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And ⁴¹he vanished from their sight.

32 They said to each other, ⁴²"Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he ⁴³opened to us the Scriptures?"

33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they ⁴⁴found the eleven and ⁴⁵those who were with them gathered together,

34 saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and ⁴⁶has appeared to Simon!"

35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and ⁴⁷how he was known to them in ⁴⁸the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 As they were talking about these things, ⁴⁹Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"

37 But they were ⁵⁰startled and ⁵¹frightened and ⁵²thought they saw a spirit.

38 And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. ⁵³Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."

40 And when he had said this, ⁵⁴he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 And while they still disbelieved ⁵⁵for joy and were marveling, ⁵⁶he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"

42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,^[b]

43 and he took it and ate before them.

44 Then he said to them, ⁵⁷"These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, ⁵⁸that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

45 Then ⁵⁹he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

46 and said to them, "Thus ⁶⁰it is written, ⁶¹that the Christ should suffer and on the third day ⁶²rise from the dead,

47 and that ⁶³repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed ⁶⁴in his name ⁶⁵to all nations, ⁶⁶beginning from Jerusalem.

48 ⁶⁷You are witnesses of these things.

49 And behold, I am sending ⁶⁸the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you ⁶⁹are clothed with ⁷⁰power ⁷¹from on high."

The Ascension

50 Then ⁷²he led them out as far as ⁷³Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.

51 While he blessed them, ⁷⁴he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.

52 And they ⁷⁵worshiped him and ⁷⁶returned to Jerusalem ⁷⁷with great joy,

53 and ⁷⁸were continually in the temple ⁷⁹blessing God.

Luke 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.

Cross References

• 1. For ver. 1-10, see Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; John 20:1
• 2. Luke 23:56
• 3. Matthew 27:60; Mark 15:46; [John 11]
• 4. John 20:12
• 5. [Acts 1:10; Acts 10:30]
• 6. ver. 37
• 7. Luke 9:22, 44; Matthew 17:22, 23; Mark 9:30, 31; [ver. 44]
• 8. [See ver. 6 above]
• 9. See Luke 13:33
• 10. See Matthew 20:19
• 11. See Luke 9:22
• 12. John 2:22; John 12:1
• 13. [John 20:18]
• 14. Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40, 41
• 15. Luke 8:3
• 16. Mark 16:11; See Mark 16:16
• 17. John 20:3-6
• 18. John 19:40
• 19. Mark 16:12
• 20. John 20:14; John 21:4; [ver. 31; Luke 9:45; Luke 18:34]
• 21. See Matthew 21:11
• 22. Acts 2:22; [Acts 7:22]
• 23. Acts 2:23; Acts 5:30; Acts 13:27, 28; 1 Thessalonians 2:15
• 24. Luke 23:13, 35; John 3:1; John 7:26, 48; John 12:42; Acts 3:17; Acts 4:5, 8; Acts 13:27; [1 Corinthians 2:8]
• 25. See Luke 1:68; 1 Peter 1:18
• 26. ver. 7
• 27. ver. 1
• 28. ver. 3
• 29. ver. 4, 5, 9
• 30. ver. 12; John 20:3
• 31. ver. 7, 44, 46; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 1:11; See Acts 3:18
• 32. See Matthew 1:17
• 33. See Luke 9:26
• 34. Acts 8:35
• 35. Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18; Numbers 21:9; Numbers 24:17; [John 1:45; John 5:46]
• 36. 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12; Isaiah 61:1; Jeremiah 23:5, 6; Daniel 7:13, 14; Daniel 9:24-27; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 6:12; Zechariah 9:9; Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:7; [Acts 13:27]
• 37. [Mark 6:48]
• 38. Luke 9:12(Gk.)
• 39. See Matthew 14:19
• 40. [ver. 16]
• 41. [Luke 4:30]
• 42. Psalms 39:3
• 43. ver. 45
• 44. Mark 16:13; Acts 17:3
• 45. [Acts 1:14]
• 46. 1 Corinthians 15:5
• 47. ver. 30, 31
• 48. See Acts 2:42
• 49. Mark 16:14; John 20:19
• 50. Luke 21:9
• 51. ver. 5
• 52. [Matthew 14:26; Mark 6:49]
• 53. 1 John 1:1; [John 20:27]
• 54. John 20:20
• 55. Acts 12:14; [Genesis 45:26]
• 56. John 21:5
• 57. See ver. 6
• 58. See ver. 27
• 59. ver. 32; [Job 33:16; Psalms 119:18; Acts 16:14; 1 John 5:20]
• 60. See Matthew 26:24
• 61. See ver. 7, 26
• 62. John 20:9
• 63. Acts 5:31; See Acts 2:38
• 64. See Acts 4:12
• 65. Luke 2:32; Genesis 12:3; Psalms 22:27; Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 49:6; Hosea 2:23; Malachi 1:11; Matthew 28:19
• 66. Acts 10:37; Galatians 3:8
• 67. Acts 1:8, 22; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:39, 41; Acts 13:31; 1 Peter 5:1; [John 15:27; 1 Corinthians 15:15]
• 68. John 14:26; Acts 1:4; [Acts 2:33; Ephesians 1:13]; See Acts 2:16, 17
• 69. Job 29:14; Psalms 132:9
• 70. Acts 1:8
• 71. Luke 1:78; Isaiah 32:15
• 72. Acts 1:12
• 73. Matthew 21:17; John 11:18
• 74. See Mark 16:19
• 75. Matthew 28:9
• 76. [See ver. 50 above]
• 77. See John 16:22
• 78. Acts 2:46; Acts 3:1; Acts 5:21, 42
• 79. Luke 1:64; Luke 2:28

Footnotes

• [a]. Greek sixty stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
• [b]. Some manuscripts add and some honeycomb