Lucas 24

1 Mas já no primeiro dia da semana, bem de madrugada, foram elas ao sepulcro, levando as especiarias que tinham preparado.

2 E acharam a pedra revolvida do sepulcro.

3 Entrando, porém, não acharam o corpo do Senhor Jesus.

4 E, estando elas perplexas a esse respeito, eis que lhes apareceram dois varões em vestes resplandecentes;

5 e ficando elas atemorizadas e abaixando o rosto para o chão, eles lhes disseram: Por que buscais entre os mortos aquele que vive?

6 Ele não está aqui, mas ressurgiu. Lembrai-vos de como vos falou, estando ainda na Galiléia.

7 dizendo: Importa que o Filho do homem seja entregue nas mãos de homens pecadores, e seja crucificado, e ao terceiro dia ressurja.

8 Lembraram-se, então, das suas palavras;

9 e, voltando do sepulcro, anunciaram todas estas coisas aos onze e a todos os demais.

10 E eram Maria Madalena, e Joana, e Maria, mãe de Tiago; também as outras que estavam com elas relataram estas coisas aos apóstolos.

11 E pareceram-lhes como um delírio as palavras das mulheres e não lhes deram crédito.

12 Mas Pedro, levantando-se, correu ao sepulcro; e, abaixando-se, viu somente os panos de linho; e retirou-se, admirando consigo o que havia acontecido.

13 Nesse mesmo dia, iam dois deles para uma aldeia chamada Emaús, que distava de Jerusalém sessenta estádios;

14 e iam comentando entre si tudo aquilo que havia sucedido.

15 Enquanto assim comentavam e discutiam, o próprio Jesus se aproximou, e ia com eles;

16 mas os olhos deles estavam como que fechados, de sorte que não o reconheceram.

17 Então ele lhes perguntou: Que palavras são essas que, caminhando, trocais entre vós? Eles então pararam tristes.

18 E um deles, chamado Cleopas, respondeu-lhe: És tu o único peregrino em Jerusalém que não soube das coisas que nela têm sucedido nestes dias?

19 Ao que ele lhes perguntou: Quais? Disseram-lhe: As que dizem respeito a Jesus, o nazareno, que foi profeta, poderoso em obras e palavras diante de Deus e de todo o povo.

20 e como os principais sacerdotes e as nossas autoridades e entregaram para ser condenado � morte, e o crucificaram.

21 Ora, nós esperávamos que fosse ele quem havia de remir Israel; e, além de tudo isso, é já hoje o terceiro dia desde que essas coisas aconteceram.

22 Verdade é, também, que algumas mulheres do nosso meio nos encheram de espanto; pois foram de madrugada ao sepulcro

23 e, não achando o corpo dele voltaram, declarando que tinham tido uma visão de anjos que diziam estar ele vivo.

24 Além disso, alguns dos que estavam conosco foram ao sepulcro, e acharam ser assim como as mulheres haviam dito; a ele, porém, não o viram.

25 Então ele lhes disse: Ó néscios, e tardos de coração para crerdes tudo o que os profetas disseram!

26 Porventura não importa que o Cristo padecesse essas coisas e entrasse na sua glória?

27 E, começando por Moisés, e por todos os profetas, explicou-lhes o que dele se achava em todas as Escrituras.

28 Quando se aproximaram da aldeia para onde iam, ele fez como quem ia para mais longe.

29 Eles, porém, o constrangeram, dizendo: Fica conosco; porque é tarde, e já declinou o dia. E entrou para ficar com eles.

30 Estando com eles � mesa, tomou o pão e o abençoou; e, partindo-o, lho dava.

31 Abriram-se-lhes então os olhos, e o reconheceram; nisto ele desapareceu de diante deles.

32 E disseram um para o outro: Porventura não se nos abrasava o coração, quando pelo caminho nos falava, e quando nos abria as Escrituras?

33 E na mesma hora levantaram-se e voltaram para Jerusalém, e encontraram reunidos os onze e os que estavam com eles,

34 os quais diziam: Realmente o Senhor ressurgiu, e apareceu a Simão.

35 Então os dois contaram o que acontecera no caminho, e como se lhes fizera conhecer no partir do pão.

36 Enquanto ainda falavam nisso, o próprio Jesus se apresentou no meio deles, e disse-lhes: Paz seja convosco.

37 Mas eles, espantados e atemorizados, pensavam que viam algum espírito.

38 Ele, porém, lhes disse: Por que estais perturbados? e por que surgem dúvidas em vossos corações?

39 Olhai as minhas mãos e os meus pés, que sou eu mesmo; apalpai-me e vede; porque um espírito não tem carne nem ossos, como percebeis que eu tenho.

40 E, dizendo isso, mostrou-lhes as mãos e os pés.

41 Não acreditando eles ainda por causa da alegria, e estando admirados, perguntou-lhes Jesus: Tendes aqui alguma coisa que comer?

42 Então lhe deram um pedaço de peixe assado,

43 o qual ele tomou e comeu diante deles.

44 Depois lhe disse: São estas as palavras que vos falei, estando ainda convosco, que importava que se cumprisse tudo o que de mim estava escrito na Lei de Moisés, nos Profetas e nos Salmos.

45 Então lhes abriu o entendimento para compreenderem as Escrituras;

46 e disse-lhes: Assim está escrito que o Cristo padecesse, e ao terceiro dia ressurgisse dentre os mortos;

47 e que em seu nome se pregasse o arrependimento para remissão dos pecados, a todas as nações, começando por Jerusalém.

48 Vós sois testemunhas destas coisas.

49 E eis que sobre vós envio a promessa de meu Pai; ficai porém, na cidade, até que do alto sejais revestidos de poder.

50 Então os levou fora, até Betânia; e levantando as mãos, os abençoou.

51 E aconteceu que, enquanto os abençoava, apartou-se deles; e foi elevado ao céu.

52 E, depois de o adorarem, voltaram com grande júbilo para Jerusalém;

53 e estavam continuamente no templo, bendizendo a Deus.

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.