Luca 24

1 E NEL primo giorno della settimana, la mattina molto per tempo, esse, e certe altre con loro, vennero al monumento, portando gli aromati che aveano preparati.

2 E trovarono la pietra rotolata dal monumento.

3 Ed entrate dentro, non trovarono il corpo del Signore Gesù.

4 E mentre stavano perplesse di ciò, ecco, due uomini sopraggiunsero loro, in vestimenti folgoranti.

5 I quali, essendo esse impaurite, e chinando la faccia a terra, disser loro: Perchè cercate il vivente tra i morti?

6 Egli non è qui, ma è risuscitato; ricordatevi come egli vi parlò, mentre era ancora in Galilea;

7 dicendo che conveniva che il Figliuol dell’uomo fosse dato nelle mani degli uomini peccatori, e fosse crocifisso, ed al terzo giorno risuscitasse.

8 Ed esse si ricordarono delle parole di esso.

9 Ed essendosene tornate dal monumento, rapportarono tutte queste cose agli undici, ed a tutti gli altri.

10 Or quelle che dissero queste cose agli apostoli erano Maria Maddalena, e Giovanna, e Maria, madre di Giacomo; e le altre ch’eran con loro.

11 Ma le lor parole parvero loro un vaneggiare, e non credettero loro.

12 Ma pur Pietro, levatosi, corse al monumento; ed avendo guardato dentro, non vide altro che le lenzuola, che giacevano quivi; e se ne andò, maravigliandosi tra sè stesso di ciò ch’era avvenuto.

13 OR ecco, due di loro in quello stesso giorno andavano in un castello, il cui nome era Emmaus, distante da Gerusalemme sessanta stadi.

14 Ed essi ragionavan fra loro di tutte queste cose, ch’erano avvenute.

15 Ed avvenne che mentre ragionavano e discorrevano insieme, Gesù si accostò, e si mise a camminar con loro.

16 Or gli occhi loro erano ritenuti, per non conoscerlo.

17 Ed egli disse loro: Quali son questi ragionamenti, che voi tenete tra voi, camminando? e perchè siete mesti?

18 E l’uno, il cui nome era Cleopa, rispondendo, gli disse: Tu solo, dimorando in Gerusalemme, non sai le cose che in essa sono avvenute in questi giorni?

19 Ed egli disse loro: Quali? Ed essi gli dissero: Il fatto di Gesù Nazareno, il quale era un uomo profeta, potente in opere, e in parole, davanti a Dio, e davanti a tutto il popolo.

20 E come i principali sacerdoti, ed i nostri magistrati l’hanno dato ad esser giudicato a morte, e l’hanno crocifisso.

21 Or noi speravamo ch’egli fosse colui che avesse a riscattare Israele; ma ancora, oltre a tutto ciò, benchè sieno tre giorni che queste cose sono avvenute,

22 certe donne d’infra noi ci hanno fatti stupire; perciocchè, essendo andate la mattina a buon’ora al monumento,

23 e non avendo trovato il corpo d’esso, son venute, dicendo d’aver veduta una visione d’angeli, i quali dicono ch’egli vive.

24 Ed alcuni de’ nostri sono andati al monumento, ed hanno trovato così, come le donne avean detto; ma non han veduto Gesù.

25 Allora egli disse loro: O insensati, e tardi di cuore a credere a tutte le cose che i profeti hanno dette!

26 Non conveniva egli che il Cristo sofferisse queste cose, e così entrasse nella sua gloria?

27 E cominciando da Mosè, e seguendo per tutti i profeti, dichiarò loro in tutte le scritture le cose ch’erano di lui.

28 Ed essendo giunti al castello, ove andavano, egli fece vista d’andar più lungi.

29 Ma essi gli fecer forza, dicendo: Rimani con noi, perciocchè ei si fa sera, e il giorno è già dichinato. Egli adunque entrò nell’albergo, per rimaner con loro.

30 E quando egli si fu messo a tavola con loro, prese il pane, e fece la benedizione; e rottolo, lo distribuì loro.

31 E gli occhi loro furono aperti, e lo riconobbero; ma egli sparì da loro.

32 Ed essi dissero l’uno all’altro: Non ardeva il cuor nostro in noi, mentre egli ci parlava per la via, e ci apriva le scritture?

33 E in quella stessa ora si levarono, e ritornarono in Gerusalemme, e trovarono raunati gli undici, e quelli ch’erano con loro.

34 I quali dicevano: Il Signore è veramente risuscitato, ed è apparito a Simone.

35 Ed essi ancora raccontarono le cose avvenute loro per la via, e come egli era stato riconosciuto da loro nel rompere il pane.

36 ORA, mentre essi ragionavano queste cose, Gesù stesso comparve nel mezzo di loro, e disse loro: Pace a voi.

37 Ma essi, smarriti, ed impauriti, pensavano vedere uno spirito.

38 Ed egli disse loro: Perchè siete turbati? e perchè salgono ragionamenti ne’ cuori vostri?

39 Vedete le mie mani, e i miei piedi; perciocchè io son desso; palpatemi, e vedete; poichè uno spirito non ha carne, nè ossa, come mi vedete avere.

40 E detto questo, mostrò loro le mani, e i piedi.

41 Ma, non credendo essi ancora per l’allegrezza, e maravigliandosi, egli disse loro: Avete voi qui alcuna cosa da mangiare?

42 Ed essi gli diedero un pezzo di pesce arrostito, e di un fiale di miele.

43 Ed egli presolo, mangiò in lor presenza.

44 Poi disse loro: Questi sono i ragionamenti che io vi teneva, essendo ancora con voi: che conveniva che tutte le cose scritte di me nella legge di Mosè, e ne’ profeti, e ne’ salmi, fossero adempiute.

45 Allora egli aperse loro la mente, per intendere le scritture.

46 E disse loro: Così è scritto, e così conveniva che il Cristo sofferisse, ed al terzo giorno risuscitasse da’ morti;

47 e che nel suo nome si predicasse ravvedimento, e remission dei peccati, fra tutte le genti, cominciando da Gerusalemme.

48 Or voi siete testimoni di queste cose.

49 Ed ecco, io mando sopra voi la promessa del Padre mio; or voi, dimorate nella città di Gerusalemme, finchè siate rivestiti della virtù da alto.

50 POI li menò fuori fino in Betania; e, levate le mani in alto, li benedisse.

51 Ed avvenne che mentre egli li benediceva, si dipartì da loro, ed era portato in su nel cielo.

52 Ed essi, adoratolo, ritornarono in Gerusalemme con grande allegrezza.

53 Ed erano del continuo nel tempio, lodando, e benedicendo Iddio. Amen.

Luca 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.