Luke Chapter Twenty-Four
The Resurrection
[Text parallels Matthew 28:5-8, Mark 16:2-8 and John 20:1-6]
24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
The women (as identified in previous chapter, see Luke 23:55) went to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week[1] to finish embalming the body of Jesus. A variety (and a great amount, see John 19:39) of aromatic spices and perfumes would be used to minimize odor due to putrefaction.
24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words,
When they arrived at the tomb they found the stone that sealed the entrance had already been rolled away. But when they went in they discovered that the tomb was empty, the body of Jesus was gone. While wondering what happened to the body two angels appeared. They were described as being men wearing dazzling apparel which frightened them causing them to lower their heads facing the ground. The angels asked them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” An excellent question since the angels knew that Jesus told His followers that He would rise on the third day. But for humans, death is absolute, under normal circumstances there would be a dead body, and that is what the women expected. However, when one encounters the author of life, the Creator of all, life after death is a reality. The angels told them that Jesus was not there and that He had risen. They reminded them what He said while they were still in Galilee, that He would be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise (see Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-31). The women then remembered.
24:9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
They left the tomb and went to tell the eleven disciples and everyone else. In addition to “other women,” Luke specifically lists Mary Magdalene, Joanna (found only twice in Scripture, see Luke 8:3), and Mary the mother of James, each offering testimony that Jesus had indeed risen. The disciples ignored what they were being told, discounting the idea simply as an “idle tale,” (nonsense). But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, and when he looked in he saw the linen laying alone in the tomb with no body. He returned home marveling (Greek ‘thaumazōn’,[2] to be astonished, struck with admiration) at what had happened.
Considerations
The Bible does not teach that the witness of a woman is invalid, that idea is a man-made construct. The primary rule that Scripture does require of witnesses is that there be at least two people who agree. Moses wrote, “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) However, Jewish law and many traditional customs outline a different story. For example in the third chapter of the Sanhedrin Tractate of the Mishnah (the codification of the ‘oral’ law) one can find who qualifies as an invalid witness, which includes women in general. Was this long-held tradition of not accepting the testimony of women responsible for the disciples’ deaf-ear? Not likely, as they were undoubtedly still in some form of shock and disbelief (and also a good dose of self-pity), they were in denial and still experiencing an extended learning curve. Even though they were told multiple times what was going to happen, the text informs us that they still didn’t understand.[3] Here in Luke’s account, Peter, after thinking about it, decided to check out their story and it was indeed true, Jesus had risen!
Many point out that the fact that God chose women to be the first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection provides additional evidence that the Bible is true. Just as the Bible includes all blemishes and exposes imperfections, having women, who were not considered legal witnesses at that time, to be the first to testify both demonstrates a total disregard for man’s rules and a reassurance of God’s love for all people.[4]
On the Road to Emmaus
[Verses 13-15 parallel Mark 16:12-13]
24:13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
On the same day, the resurrection Sunday, two unidentified disciples of Jesus were walking to a village named Emmaus, approximately seven miles from Jerusalem. The actual location of Emmaus is unknown, however, due to recent archaeological efforts in the area of Kiriath Yearim, a hill overlooking the western approach to Jerusalem near Abu Ghosh, the village known as Emmaus Nicopolis appears to have been located within an extensive system of ancient walls. The name Emmaus does not appear anywhere else in Scripture.
24:15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
The disciples were talking about everything that had recently happened. Jesus approached them and walked with them. Luke notes that they were kept from recognizing Him, however, there is no explanation of how or why. Although many have speculated the answers to those questions.
24:17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
Jesus asked them what they were talking about. Both men then stopped, looking sad (Greek ’skythrōpoi’,[5] gloomy, dejected, grim-faced) and one, named Cleopas (undoubtedly Luke’s source for this event, but no further identification is provided, likely not one of the inner-circle disciples, see verse 33), asks Jesus if He was the only visitor to Jerusalem who did not know about the recent events that occurred there.
24:19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
Jesus asks “What things?” They proceed to tell Jesus their perspective of the events, which reveals their confusion as well as their remaining lack of understanding of what Jesus had taught them about Himself. First, they call Jesus a prophet, mighty in actions and word from God, but their chief priests and rulers had Him crucified. They had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel. Besides, today was now the third day after all of these things took place, nothing more to report, except some women went to the tomb this morning and could not find His body. They came to tell them that they saw angels who said Jesus was alive. Some of His disciples went to the tomb and sure enough, His body was gone!
24:25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Jesus stops their explanation and tells them that they essentially missed the point. He said, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.” (NLT) Jesus could have easily responded, “Do you hear yourself? You have all the answers but have not ‘connected’ what you know to prophecy, nor to what I taught you earlier.” Jesus asked them, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Jesus then walked them through Scripture, starting with Moses and through all of the prophets interpreting and explaining everything about Himself. It is interesting to note the firm statement, “Was it not necessary that the Christ suffer…” If Jesus said it was necessary, then there was no other option available to offer salvation to humanity. Jesus suffered for us! He bought us with His own blood.
Having Jesus explain all of the Scriptures about Himself must have been extremely insightful and exhilarating. Most readers wish that Luke would have included that lesson here.
24:28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
When they approached Emmaus, Jesus looked like He was going to continue walking, but they urged Him to stay with them as evening would be coming soon. So He agreed to stay with them. Later when it was time to eat, Jesus, not the host, took the bread and blessed it and gave them their portions. It was at that time when their eyes were opened and were able to recognize Him. Some believe that they saw the scars on His wrists, however, the text implies it was a Spiritual blindness not physical. Although between His beard being torn off His face (see Isaiah 50:6) and everything else He endured before and during the crucifixion, His physical appearance may have been altered significantly making Him unrecognizable. After He was recognized, Jesus vanished from their sight. There is no record of what the men said, nor what does “vanished from their sight” means. Again, many have speculated. Since Jesus was in His “glorified body,” physical restraints would no longer apply.
24:32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
They now understood why their hearts were lit on fire while Jesus explained the Scriptures. At that time they turned back to Jerusalem to report to the eleven disciples. The text states that they found the other disciples and said that “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” But there is no previous reference to Simon’s encounter. In closer examination, the Greek word ‘legontas’,[6] translated here in verse 34 as ‘saying’, is in the accusative case, indicating that what follows was actually said to them, not what they said (the group in Jerusalem told the men that were traveling to Emmaus). They shared what happened to them on the road and how they were able to recognize Him at the time He broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
[Verses 36-43 parallels Mark 16:14 and John 20:19-25. Verses 44-49 parallel Acts 1:3-8]
24:36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
Just as the disciples were talking about all of the sightings of Jesus, He suddenly appears among them, saying “Peace to you!” Their immediate response was fright and thought He was a spirit. He asks, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Jesus then shows them the scars on His hands and feet, telling them to go ahead and touch Him, as spirits do not have flesh and bones. Luke reports that they still did not believe but were also overjoyed and astonished at the same time, as their minds transitioned to the reality of Jesus being alive. He asks them if they had anything to eat. They gave Him some fish, which He ate, offering additional evidence that He was indeed real and alive.
24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Jesus reminds His disciples that those things He had taught them previously, about all of the prophecies about His life and sufferings found in the Old Testament that had to be fulfilled, were now fulfilled. Jesus then opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. They were now able to see the “whole picture” that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and how His sinless life, suffering, death, and resurrection also opened the door for salvation through forgiveness. Jesus then commissions them as apostles to proclaim what is now written of Him. That Christ suffered and died and on the third day was raised from the dead and that repentance of sins now leads to forgiveness, through Him.
They were to proclaim salvation in Jesus to all nations beginning in Jerusalem. But they were to wait until they were clothed with power, God’s power, namely the Holy Spirit.[7] They were to be witnesses of everything that took place in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He told them that He was sending the promise of His Father upon them, who promised the Holy Spirit to various people in the Old Testament (see Ezekiel 36:27; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28-29), and the Holy Spirit is also promised to many in the New Testament (see John 14:15-31; 15:26; 16:13; 20:22; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Paul tells us that all believers have the Holy Spirit indwelling in them (see Romans 8:9-17). Jesus did not abandon His apostles without giving them what they needed to do what He commissioned them to do, He sent the Holy Spirit to live in them and every believer.[8]
It should be noted that the two ‘shoulds’ (see verses 46 and 47) are not be interpreted as a choice or a possibility, but as absolutes. We know that Jesus did suffer and die, and that the proclamation of that news (the gospel message) has and will continue, no other option is available.
Considerations
Jesus asked His disciples “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” (verse 38b) This question focuses on the primary ‘enemy’ of every Christian’s belief in Jesus, doubt. The apostles were eye-witnesses of incredible feats and yet they still had their doubts. Then Jesus opened their minds to understand Scripture and later gave them the Holy Spirit (during Pentecost, the Feast of Shavuot), they went on from there to the world. Christianity began with these ordinary men. Christians today have the same power and understanding, so why isn’t the church and Christianity more prevalent or influential? Perhaps the same question can be asked of believers by Jesus today, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” It is not a question of whether God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit exist, it is more personal. Many believers doubt that they have what they need to do what God has called them to do. That doubt effectively shuts down the Christian and renders them powerless, thus being no longer a warrior in the kingdom of God, and as a result they ignore the Great Commission. Jesus did not abandon His apostles then and He will not abandon any believer today. We are to stop doing things for God relying on our own abilities and strength, but instead embrace the Holy Spirit and the Spiritual gifts given and lean forward towards God (always remember James 4:8) and let Him guide you, take that first step, pray for discernment and direction, go boldly just as the apostles did, and proclaim the gospel to those God has placed around you. Soon the doubt will disappear. But stick close to God, no wandering!
The Ascension
[Text parallels mark 16:19-20 and Acts 1:9-12]
24:50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Later the apostles followed Jesus to Bethany (Luke wrote in Acts 1:3 that Jesus continued to preach 40 days before returning to heaven), once He arrived in Bethany He lifted His hand and blessed the apostles. As He was blessing them He was carried up into heaven. Luke records that they worshiped Him and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, where they continually blessed God at the Temple. Jesus did not want His apostles (those sent out with a message) to begin proclaiming the gospel until they had received the Holy Spirit, so they stayed near the Temple.
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[1] The Bible never uses the name ‘Sunday’, it is always referred to as the first day of the week.
[2] Strong’s Greek 2296.
[3] See Matthew 16:20-21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Mark 8:30-31; 9:30-32; 10:2-34; Luke 9:10, 43b-45; 18:31-34.
[4] See Considerations under Matthew 1:17 "Nothing But the Truth - All Blemishes Are Visible" and "Women Included."
[5] Strong’s Greek 4659.
[6] Strong’s Greek 3004.
[7] Which occurred later on the Feast of Weeks (Hebrew ’Shavuot’, also known as Pentecost, see Acts 2:1-31)
[8] See Considerations under Luke 1:24-25 "Filled With the Holy Spirit."