Luca 24

1 Durante il sabato si riposarono, secondo il comandamento; ma il primo giorno della settimana, la mattina molto per tempo, esse si recarono al sepolcro, portando gli aromi che aveano preparato.

2 E trovarono la pietra rotolata dal sepolcro.

3 Ma essendo entrate, non trovarono il corpo del Signor Gesù.

4 Ed avvenne che mentre se ne stavano perplesse di ciò, ecco che apparvero dinanzi a loro due uomini in vesti sfolgoranti;

5 ed essendo esse impaurite, e chinando il viso a terra, essi dissero loro: Perché cercate il vivente fra i morti?

6 Egli non è qui, ma è risuscitato; ricordatevi com’egli vi parlò quand’era ancora in Galilea,

7 dicendo che il Figliuol dell’uomo doveva esser dato nelle mani d’uomini peccatori ed esser crocifisso, e il terzo giorno risuscitare.

8 Ed esse si ricordarono delle sue parole;

9 e tornate dal sepolcro, annunziarono tutte queste cose agli undici e a tutti gli altri.

10 Or quelle che dissero queste cose agli apostoli erano: Maria Maddalena, Giovanna, Maria madre di Giacomo, e le altre donne che eran con loro.

11 E quelle parole parvero loro un vaneggiare, e non prestaron fede alle donne.

12 Ma Pietro, levatosi, corse al sepolcro; ed essendosi chinato a guardare, vide le sole lenzuola; e se ne andò maravigliandosi fra se stesso di quel che era avvenuto.

13 Ed ecco, due di loro se ne andavano in quello stesso giorno a un villaggio nominato Emmaus, distante da Gerusalemme sessanta stadi;

14 e discorrevano tra loro di tutte le cose che erano accadute.

15 Ed avvenne che mentre discorrevano e discutevano insieme, Gesù stesso si accostò e cominciò a camminare con loro.

16 Ma gli occhi loro erano impediti così da non riconoscerlo.

17 Ed egli domandò loro: Che discorsi son questi che tenete fra voi cammin facendo? Ed essi si fermarono tutti mesti.

18 E l’un de’ due, per nome Cleopa, rispondendo, gli disse: Tu solo, tra i forestieri, stando in Gerusalemme, non hai saputo le cose che sono in essa avvenute in questi giorni?

19 Ed egli disse loro: Quali? Ed essi gli risposero: Il fatto di Gesù Nazareno, che era un profeta potente in opere e in parole dinanzi a Dio e a tutto il popolo;

20 e come i capi sacerdoti e i nostri magistrati l’hanno fatto condannare a morte, e l’hanno crocifisso.

21 Or noi speravamo che fosse lui che avrebbe riscattato Israele; invece, con tutto ciò, ecco il terzo giorno da che queste cose sono avvenute.

22 Vero è che certe donne d’infra noi ci hanno fatto stupire; essendo andate la mattina di buon’ora al sepolcro,

23 e non avendo trovato il corpo di lui, son venute dicendo d’aver avuto anche una visione d’angeli, i quali dicono ch’egli vive.

24 E alcuni de’ nostri sono andati al sepolcro, e hanno trovato la cosa così come aveano detto le donne; ma lui non l’hanno veduto.

25 Allora Gesù disse loro: O insensati e tardi di cuore a credere a tutte le cose che i profeti hanno dette!

26 Non bisognava egli che il Cristo soffrisse queste cose ed entrasse quindi nella sua gloria?

27 E cominciando da Mosè e da tutti i profeti, spiegò loro in tutte le Scritture le cose che lo concernevano.

28 E quando si furono avvicinati al villaggio dove andavano, egli fece come se volesse andar più oltre.

29 Ed essi gli fecero forza, dicendo: Rimani con noi, perché si fa sera e il giorno è già declinato. Ed egli entrò per rimaner con loro.

30 E quando si fu messo a tavola con loro, prese il pane, lo benedisse, e spezzatolo lo dette loro.

31 E gli occhi loro furono aperti, e lo riconobbero; ma egli sparì d’innanzi a loro.

32 Ed essi dissero l’uno all’altro: Non ardeva il cuor nostro in noi mentr’egli ci parlava per la via, mentre ci spiegava le Scritture?

33 E levatisi in quella stessa ora, tornarono a Gerusalemme e trovarono adunati gli undici e quelli ch’eran con loro,

34 i quali dicevano: Il Signore è veramente risuscitato ed è apparso a Simone.

35 Ed essi pure raccontarono le cose avvenute loro per la via, e come era stato da loro riconosciuto nello spezzare il pane.

36 Or mentr’essi parlavano di queste cose, Gesù stesso comparve in mezzo a loro, e disse: Pace a voi!

37 Ma essi, smarriti e impauriti, pensavano di vedere uno spirito.

38 Ed egli disse loro: Perché siete turbati? E perché vi sorgono in cuore tali pensieri?

39 Guardate le mie mani ed i miei piedi, perché son ben io; palpatemi e guardate; perché uno spirito non ha carne e ossa come vedete che ho io.

40 E detto questo, mostrò loro le mani e i piedi.

41 Ma siccome per l’allegrezza non credevano ancora, e si stupivano, disse loro: Avete qui nulla da mangiare?

42 Essi gli porsero un pezzo di pesce arrostito;

43 ed egli lo prese, e mangiò in loro presenza.

44 Poi disse loro: Queste son le cose che io vi dicevo quand’ero ancora con voi: che bisognava che tutte le cose scritte di me nella legge di Mosè, ne’ profeti e nei Salmi, fossero adempiute.

45 Allora apri loro la mente per intendere le Scritture, e disse loro:

46 Così è scritto, che il Cristo soffrirebbe, e risusciterebbe dai morti il terzo giorno,

47 e che nel suo nome si predicherebbe ravvedimento e remission dei peccati a tutte le genti, cominciando da Gerusalemme.

48 Or voi siete testimoni di queste cose.

49 Ed ecco, io mando su voi quello che il Padre mio ha promesso; quant’è a voi, rimanete in questa città, finché dall’alto siate rivestiti di potenza.

50 Poi li condusse fuori fino presso Betania; e levate in alto le mani, li benedisse.

51 E avvenne che mentre li benediceva, si dipartì da loro e fu portato su nel cielo.

52 Ed essi, adoratolo, tornarono a Gerusalemme con grande allegrezza;

53 ed erano del continuo nel tempio, benedicendo Iddio.

Luca 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.