Luke 24

Jesus Is Raised

1 Now on the first [day] of the week, at very early dawn, they came back to the tomb bringing the fragrant spices which they had prepared.

2 And they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb,

3 but [when they] went in, they did not find the body.

4 And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men in gleaming clothing stood near them.

5 And [as] they were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he spoke to you [while he] was still in Galilee,

7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of men [who are] sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise?"

8 And they remembered his words,

9 and [when they] returned from the tomb, they reported all these [things] to the eleven and to all the rest.

10 Now Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the [mother] of James and the others with them were telling these [things] to the apostles.

11 And these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they refused to believe them.

12 But Peter got up [and] ran to the tomb, and bending over to look, he saw only the [strips of] linen cloth, and he went away to his home wondering what had happened.

Jesus Encountered on the Road to Emmaus

13 And behold, on [that] same day, two of them were traveling to a village {named} Emmaus [that was] sixty stadia distant from Jerusalem,

14 and they were conversing with one another about all these [things] that had happened.

15 And it happened that while they were conversing, and discussing, Jesus himself also approached [and] began to go along with them,

16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

17 And he said to them, "What [are] these matters that you are discussing with one another [as you] are walking along?" And they stood still, looking sad.

18 And one [of them], {named} Cleopas, answered [and] said to him, "[Are] you the only one living near Jerusalem and not knowing the things that have happened in it in these days?"

19 And he said to them, "What [things]?" So they said to him, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, a man who was a prophet, powerful in deed and word before God and all the people,

20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to a sentence of death, and crucified him.

21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. But in addition to all these [things], this [is] the third day {since} these [things] took place.

22 But also some women from among us astonished us, who were at the tomb early in the morning,

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

24 And some of those with us went out to the tomb and found [it] like this, just as the women had also said, but him they did not see."

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

26 Was it not necessary [that] the Christ suffer these [things] and enter into his glory?"

27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures.

28 And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he acted as though he was going farther.

29 And they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is [getting] toward evening, and by this time the day is far spent." And he went in to stay with them.

30 And it happened that when he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread [and] gave thanks, and [after] breaking [it], he gave [it] to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he became invisible to them.

32 And they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?"

33 And they got up [that] same hour [and] returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled,

34 saying, "The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!"

35 And they began describing {what happened} on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 And [while] they were saying these [things], he himself stood there among them.

37 But they were startled and became terrified, [and] thought [they] had seen a ghost.

38 And he said to them, "Why are you frightened? And for what [reason] do doubts arise in your hearts?

39 Look at my hands and my feet, that I am I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as {you see that I have}."

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

41 And [while] they were still disbelieving because of joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Do you have anything {to eat} here?"

42 So they gave him a piece of broiled fish,

43 and he took [it] [and] ate [it] in front of them.

Jesus Commissions His Disciples

44 And he said to them, "These [are] my words that I spoke to you [while I] was still with you, that everything that is written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,

46 and said to them, "Thus it is written [that] the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day,

47 and repentance and the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

48 You are witnesses of these [things].

49 And behold, I am sending out what was promised by my Father upon you, but you stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

The Ascension

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

51 And it happened that while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven.

52 And they worshiped him [and] returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

53 And they were {continually} in the temple [courts] praising 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("went in") which is understood as temporal
• [b]. Some manuscripts add "of the Lord Jesus"
• [c]. *Here "[as]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participles ("were" and "bowed")
• [d]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("was") which is understood as temporal
• [e]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("returned") which is understood as temporal
• [f]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("got up") has been translated as a finite verb
• [g]. Or "wondering to himself," if the prepositional phrase modifies the following participle
• [h]. Literally "to which the name"
• [i]. A "stade" or "stadium" (plur. "stadia") is about 607 ft (187 m)
• [j]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("approached") has been translated as a finite verb
• [k]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to go along with")
• [l]. *Here "[as]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("walking along") which is understood as temporal
• [m]. Literally "by name"
• [n]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb
• [o]. Literally "he spends from which"
• [p]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("find") which is understood as temporal
• [q]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [r]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("took") has been translated as a finite verb
• [s]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("breaking") which is understood as temporal
• [t]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [u]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [v]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("got up") has been translated as a finite verb
• [w]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began describing")
• [x]. Literally "the things"
• [y]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("were saying")
• [z]. Some manuscripts add "and said to them, 'Peace to you!'"
• [aa]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the two previous participles ("startled" and "terrified") have been translated as finite verbs
• [ab]. Literally "you see me having"
• [ac]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("had said") which is understood as temporal
• [ad]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [ae]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [af]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("disbelieving")
• [ag]. Literally "eatable"
• [ah]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ai]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("took") has been translated as a finite verb
• [aj]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ak]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("was") which is understood as temporal
• [al]. Some manuscripts have "repentance for the forgiveness"
• [am]. The same Greek word can be translated "nations" or "Gentiles" depending on the context
• [an]. Some manuscripts have "am sending"
• [ao]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("worshiped") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ap]. Literally "through everything"
• [aq]. *Here "[courts]" is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself