Lucas 24

1 La resurrección
El domingo, muy temprano por la mañana,
las mujeres fueron a la tumba, llevando las especias que habían preparado.

2 Encontraron que la piedra de la entrada estaba corrida a un costado.

3 Entonces entraron, pero no encontraron el cuerpo del Señor Jesús.

4 Mientras estaban allí perplejas, de pronto aparecieron dos hombres vestidos con vestiduras resplandecientes.

5 Las mujeres quedaron aterradas y se inclinaron rostro en tierra. Entonces los hombres preguntaron: «¿Por qué buscan entre los muertos a alguien que está vivo?

6 ¡Él no está aquí! ¡Ha resucitado! Recuerden lo que les dijo en Galilea,

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

8 Entonces ellas recordaron lo que Jesús había dicho.

9 Así que regresaron corriendo de la tumba a contarles a los once discípulos y a todos los demás lo que había sucedido.

10 Fueron María Magdalena, Juana, María la madre de Santiago y varias mujeres más quienes contaron a los apóstoles lo que pasó.

11 Pero a los hombres el relato les pareció una tontería, y no les creyeron.

12 Sin embargo, Pedro se levantó de un salto y corrió a la tumba para ver por sí mismo. Agachándose, miró hacia adentro y vio solo los lienzos de lino, vacíos; luego regresó a la casa, preguntándose qué habría ocurrido.

13 De camino a Emaús
Ese mismo día, dos de los seguidores de Jesús iban camino al pueblo de Emaús, a unos once kilómetros
de Jerusalén.

14 Al ir caminando, hablaban acerca de las cosas que habían sucedido.

15 Mientras conversaban y hablaban, de pronto Jesús mismo se apareció y comenzó a caminar con ellos;

16 pero Dios impidió que lo reconocieran.

17 Él les preguntó:
Se detuvieron de golpe, con sus rostros cargados de tristeza.

18 Entonces uno de ellos, llamado Cleofas, contestó:
—Tú debes de ser la única persona en Jerusalén que no oyó acerca de las cosas que han sucedido allí en los últimos días.

19 —preguntó Jesús.
—Las cosas que le sucedieron a Jesús, el hombre de Nazaret —le dijeron—. Era un profeta que hizo milagros poderosos, y también era un gran maestro a los ojos de Dios y de todo el pueblo.

20 Sin embargo, los principales sacerdotes y otros líderes religiosos lo entregaron para que fuera condenado a muerte, y lo crucificaron.

21 Nosotros teníamos la esperanza de que fuera el Mesías que había venido para rescatar a Israel. Todo esto sucedió hace tres días.

22 »No obstante, algunas mujeres de nuestro grupo de seguidores fueron a su tumba esta mañana temprano y regresaron con noticias increíbles.

23 Dijeron que el cuerpo había desaparecido y que habían visto a ángeles, quienes les dijeron ¡que Jesús está vivo!

24 Algunos de nuestros hombres corrieron para averiguarlo, y efectivamente el cuerpo no estaba, tal como las mujeres habían dicho.

25 Entonces Jesús les dijo:

26 ¿Acaso no profetizaron claramente que el Mesías tendría que sufrir todas esas cosas antes de entrar en su gloria?

27 Entonces Jesús los guió por los escritos de Moisés y de todos los profetas, explicándoles lo que las Escrituras decían acerca de él mismo.

28 Para entonces ya estaban cerca de Emaús y del final del viaje. Jesús hizo como que iba a seguir adelante,

29 pero ellos le suplicaron: «Quédate con nosotros esta noche, ya que se está haciendo tarde». Entonces los acompañó a la casa.

30 Al sentarse a comer,
tomó el pan y lo bendijo. Luego lo partió y se lo dio a ellos.

31 De pronto, se les abrieron los ojos y lo reconocieron. Y, en ese instante, Jesús desapareció.

32 Entonces se dijeron el uno al otro: «¿No ardía nuestro corazón cuando nos hablaba en el camino y nos explicaba las Escrituras?».

33 En menos de una hora, estaban de regreso a Jerusalén. Allí encontraron a los once discípulos y a los otros que se habían reunido con ellos,

34 quienes decían: «¡El Señor ha resucitado de verdad! Se le apareció a Pedro
».

35 Jesús se aparece a los discípulos
Luego los dos de Emaús les contaron cómo Jesús se les había aparecido mientras iban por el camino y cómo lo habían reconocido cuando partió el pan.

36 Entonces, justo mientras contaban la historia, de pronto Jesús mismo apareció de pie en medio de ellos.
les dijo.

37 Pero todos quedaron asustados y temerosos; ¡pensaban que veían un fantasma!

38 —les preguntó—.

39 Miren mis manos. Miren mis pies. Pueden ver que de veras soy yo. Tóquenme y asegúrense de que no soy un fantasma, pues los fantasmas no tienen cuerpo, como ven que yo tengo».

40 Mientras hablaba, él les mostró sus manos y sus pies.

41 Aun así, ellos seguían sin creer, llenos de alegría y asombro. Entonces les preguntó:

42 Le dieron un pedazo de pescado asado,

43 y él lo comió mientras ellos miraban.

44 Entonces dijo:

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

46 y dijo:

47 También se escribió que este mensaje se proclamaría con la autoridad de su nombre a todas las naciones,
comenzando con Jerusalén: “Hay perdón de pecados para todos los que se arrepientan”.

48 Ustedes son testigos de todas estas cosas.

49 »Ahora enviaré al Espíritu Santo, tal como prometió mi Padre; pero quédense aquí en la ciudad hasta que el Espíritu Santo venga y los llene con poder del cielo».

50 La ascensión
Entonces Jesús los llevó a Betania, levantó sus manos al cielo y los bendijo.

51 Mientras los bendecía, los dejó y fue levantado al cielo.

52 Entonces ellos lo adoraron y regresaron a Jerusalén llenos de gran alegría;

53 y pasaban todo su tiempo en el templo, adorando 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.