Luke 24

1 Very early on the first day of the week, at dawn, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

2 They found the stone rolled away from the entrance of the tomb,

3 but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 While they were wondering about this, two men in shining clothes suddenly stood beside them.

5 The women were very afraid and bowed their heads to the ground. The men said to them, "Why are you looking for a living person in this place for the dead?

6 He is not here; he has risen from the dead. Do you remember what he told you in Galilee?

7 He said the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people, be crucified, and rise from the dead on the third day."

8 Then the women remembered what Jesus had said.

9 The women left the tomb and told all these things to the eleven apostles and the other followers.

10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and some other women who told the apostles everything that had happened at the tomb.

11 But they did not believe the women, because it sounded like nonsense.

12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending down and looking in, he saw only the cloth that Jesus' body had been wrapped in. Peter went away to his home, wondering about what had happened.

13 That same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a town named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

14 They were talking about everything that had happened.

15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and began walking with them,

16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 Then he said, "What are these things you are talking about while you walk?" The two followers stopped, looking very sad.

18 The one named Cleopas answered, "Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know what just happened there?"

19 Jesus said to them, "What are you talking about?" They said, "About Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet who said and did many powerful things before God and all the people.

20 Our leaders and the leading priests handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.

21 But we were hoping that he would free Israel. Besides this, it is now the third day since this happened.

22 And today some women among us amazed us. Early this morning they went to the tomb,

23 but they did not find his body there. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive!

24 So some of our group went to the tomb, too. They found it just as the women said, but they did not see Jesus."

25 Then Jesus said to them, "You are foolish and slow to believe everything the prophets said.

26 They said that the Christ must suffer these things before he enters his glory."

27 Then starting with what Moses and all the prophets had said about him, Jesus began to explain everything that had been written about himself in the Scriptures.

28 They came near the town of Emmaus, and Jesus acted as if he were going farther.

29 But they begged him, "Stay with us, because it is late; it is almost night." So he went in to stay with them.

30 When Jesus was at the table with them, he took some bread, gave thanks, divided it, and gave it to them.

31 And then, they were allowed to recognize Jesus. But when they saw who he was, he disappeared.

32 They said to each other, "It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us."

33 So the two followers got up at once and went back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven apostles and others gathered.

34 They were saying, "The Lord really has risen from the dead! He showed himself to Simon."

35 Then the two followers told what had happened on the road and how they recognized Jesus when he divided the bread.

36 While the two followers were telling this, Jesus himself stood right in the middle of them and said, "Peace be with you."

37 They were fearful and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.

38 But Jesus said, "Why are you troubled? Why do you doubt what you see?

39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have a living body as you see I have."

40 After Jesus said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

41 While they still could not believe it because they were amazed and happy, Jesus said to them, "Do you have any food here?"

42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish.

43 While the followers watched, Jesus took the fish and ate it.

44 He said to them, "Remember when I was with you before? I said that everything written about me must happen -- everything in the law of Moses, the books of the prophets, and the Psalms."

45 Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

46 He said to them, "It is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day

47 and that a change of hearts and lives and forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to all nations, starting at Jerusalem.

48 You are witnesses of these things.

49 I will send you what my Father has promised, but you must stay in Jerusalem until you have received that power from heaven."

50 Jesus led his followers as far as Bethany, and he raised his hands and blessed them.

51 While he was blessing them, he was separated from them and carried into heaven.

52 They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem very happy.

53 They stayed in the Temple all the time, 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.