Lukas 24

1 4 But on Yom HaRishon, the first day of the shavua (week), very early in the boker, they went to the kever (tomb) bringing what spices they prepared.

2 But they found the even (stone) having been rolled away from the kever (tomb),

3 and, having entered, they did not find geviyyato (his body, DEVARIM 21:23; BERESHIS 47:18) of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu. [TEHILLIM 16:9-10; IYOV 19:25-27; YESHAYAH 26:19; 53:11]

4 It came about while they were perplexed about this, indeed, hinei, shnayim (two), who were garmented in dazzling robes, stood by them.

5 And having become terrified, the nashim bowed their faces to the ground. They said to the nashim, Why are you seeking HaChai (the One living) among HaMesim?

6 He is not here, he kam (stood up) litechiyyah (to come to life again). Have zikaron (recollection) how he spoke to you while he was still in the Galil,

7 Saying, It is necessary for the Ben HaAdam (Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14) to be delivered over into the hands of anashim choteim and to be talui al HaEtz [to be hanged on the Tree, DEVARIM 21:23] and on HaYom HaShlishi to stand up alive again.

8 And they remembered the words of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

9 And having returned from the kever (tomb), they reported all these things to the Achad Asar (the Eleven) and to all the others.

10 Now there were Miryam of Magdala and Yochanah and Miryam the Em (mother) of Yaakov, and the others with them. They were telling the Moshiach’s Shlichim these things,

11 And these words of theirs appeared to the Moshiach’s Shlichim as utter narrishkait, and the Shlichim had no emunah in what they said.

12 Kefa got up and ran to the kever (tomb). And when he bent over, Kefa sees the tachrichim linen clothes only, and he departed wondering to himself with tzorich iyun (unresolved puzzlement) about the thing that had happened.

13 And, hinei, shnayim (two) of them that same day were traveling to a shtetl being distant sixty stadia from Yerushalayim, a shtetl the name of which is Ammaus.

14 And they were speaking to one another concerning all these things that had happened.

15 And it came about while they were talking and discussing these things that also Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach himself had come near and was traveling along with them,

16 But the eynayim (eyes) of them were prevented from recognizing Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

17 And he said to them, What dvarim (words) are these which you are exchanging with one another as you are walking along? And they stood with a look of agmat nefesh (tzubrochen, broken-hearted).

18 And in reply one, Cleopas by name, said to him, Are you the only one visiting Yerushalayim that does not have daas of the things that have happened in it in these days?

19 And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things about Yehoshua from Natzeret, who was a man, a navi, powerful in ma’aseh and dvar before Hashem and all HaAm,

20 And how both our Rashei Hakohanim and minhagim delivered him over to a mishpat mavet and how on HaEtz they hanged him. [DEVARIM 21:23]

21 But we were holding the tikvah that he is the one to bring the Geulah of Yisroel. Ken, and besides all this, it is now HaYom HaShlishi vibahlt (since) these things took place.

22 Also some nashim (women) in our number astounded us. They came to the kever (tomb, Rebbe’s ohel) early this morning,

23 And not having found geviyyato (his body, cf Bereshis 47:18; nevelah, corpse), [DEVARIM 21:23], the nashim (women) came saying also to have seen a chazon (vision, appearance) of malachim (angels) who say he lives.

24 And some of the ones with us departed to the kever (tomb), and they found it so, just as also the nashim (women) said, but him they did not see.

25 And Moshiach said to them, O foolish ones and slow in lev (heart) to have emunah in all which the Neviim spoke.

26 Was it not necessary for the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach to suffer these things and to enter into his kavod (glory)?

27 And having begun from Moshe Rabbenu and from all the Neviim, he explained to them in all the Kitvei Hakodesh the things concerning himself. [BERESHIS 3:15; BAMIDBAR 21:9; DEVARIM 18:15; YESHAYAH 7:14; 9:6; 40:10,11; 53; YECHEZKEL 34:23; DANIEL 9:24; TEHILLIM 22; MALACHI 3:1]

28 And they drew near to the shtetl where they were traveling and he acted as though to travel vaiter (farther).

29 And they strongly urged him saying, Stay with us, because it is towards erev and the yom has declined already. And he entered to stay with them.

30 And it came about, while he was reclining at tish with them, having taken the matzot, he made the hamotzi, and, with the betziat halechem (the breaking of the bread) he handed it to them.

31 And the eynayim of them were opened, and they had daas, recognizing him. And just then he became invisible to them.

32 And they said to one another, Were not our levavot burning within us as he was speaking to us on the derech, as he was opening to us the Kitvei Hakodesh?

33 And getting up that very hour, they returned to Yerushalayim, and they found the Achad Asar (Eleven) gathered together and those with them,

34 Saying that beemes (really) Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu was mamash (definitely) made to stand up alive and he tahke (actually) appeared to Shimon.

35 And they were explaining the things on the derech and how he was made known to them in the hisgalus of the betziat halechem.

36 And while they were speaking these things, he stood in the midst of them, and he says to them, Shalom Aleichem.

37 But having been startled and having been terrified, they were thinking they saw a ruach (spirit).

38 And he said to them, Why have you been troubled, and why do doubts arise in your levavot?

39 You see my hands and my feet that I am myself. Touch me and see, because a ruach does not have basar and atzamot (bones) as you see me having.

40 And having said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.[TEHILLIM 22:17(16) TARGUM HASHIVIM]

41 And while in their simcha they were still disbelieving and astonished, he said to them, Have you some okhel here?

42 And they gave him part of a broiled dag (fish).

43 And having taken it, in front of them, he ate it.

44 And he said to them, These are my dvarim which I spoke to you while still being with you, that it is necessary that all the things having been written in the Torah of Moshe and the Neviim and the Tehillim about me [Moshiach] to be fulfilled. [TEHILLIM 2; 16; 22; 69; 72; 89; 110; 118;]

45 Then he opened their minds to have binah (understanding) of the Kitvei Hakodesh.

46 And he said to them, Thus it has been written, that the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach must suffer his histalkus (passing) and come back to life again from HaMesim on HaYom HaShlishi,

47 And teshuva for the selicha (forgiveness) of chattaim (sins) is to be preached bShem of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua to all the Nations, beginning from Yerushalayim.

48 You are to be edim (witnesses) of these things.

49 And, hinei, I send the havtachah of Avi to you; but you sit in HaIr (the City) until you may be clothed with oz (power) from on High.

50 And he led them outside as far as Beit-Anyah, and having lifted up his hands, he said a bracha over them.

51 And while he said the bracha over them, he departed from them, being taken up in an aliyah ascent to Shomayim.

52 And they, having reverenced him in worship [DANIEL 7:14; cf. DANIEL 3:18], returned to Yerushalayim with simcha gedolah.

53 And they were continually in the Beis Hamikdash praising Hashem. [T.N. From the “we” sections of Acts (16:10-17, 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16), Lukas intimates he had opportunity to obtain independent corroboration of the veracity of what came to be included in the other synoptic Gospels and that Luke had opportunity also to interview living eye-witnesses in the early pre-Churban Bayis Sheni period of his travels to Jerusalem with Rav Sha’ul, making his writings, Luke-Acts, of inestimable historical value to Messianic believers today.]

Lukas 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.