Luke 24
Luke 24 is the concluding chapter of the Gospel of Luke, which records the resurrection of Jesus, His appearances to His followers, and His final instructions before ascending to heaven. The chapter highlights the disbelief, amazement, and joy of the disciples as they witness Jesus alive again. This pivotal chapter emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy, the power of faith, and the call to spread the Gospel to all nations.
Luke 24:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
The women, coming to anoint Jesus' body with spices as per custom, find the tomb open and empty. This surprising discovery marks the beginning of the revelation of Jesus' resurrection. Their expectation to find Him dead is met with a new reality, highlighting the shift from death to life that defines the resurrection story.
Luke 24:4-7 (NKJV)
4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”
The appearance of angels reassures the women and reminds them of Jesus' prophecy about His death and resurrection. The angels’ question, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" reinforces the reality that Jesus has overcome death, fulfilling His words and revealing God's ultimate power over life and death.
Luke 24:8-12 (NKJV)
8 And they remembered His words.
9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
The women’s testimony is initially met with disbelief by the apostles, who struggle to accept the reality of Jesus' resurrection. Peter’s visit to the empty tomb, however, stirs curiosity and wonder, indicating the beginning of his understanding of the miraculous event that has taken place.
Luke 24:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
As two disciples journey to Emmaus, Jesus joins them, though they are unable to recognize Him. This encounter highlights how God sometimes works beyond human perception, revealing Himself gradually and unexpectedly to deepen faith and understanding.
Luke 24:17-27 (NKJV)
17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”
18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.
23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
24 And certain 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.”
25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Jesus listens to their doubts and misunderstandings about His death and resurrection. His response underscores the necessity of His suffering as foretold by Scripture, revealing that His path aligns with God’s redemptive plan. By teaching them from Moses and the Prophets, Jesus reaffirms the continuity of God's plan and the fulfillment of prophecy in His life and work.
Luke 24:28-32 (NKJV)
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.
29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.
30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
In the breaking of bread, the disciples recognize Jesus, symbolizing communion and the revelation of His presence in familiar acts of fellowship. This moment of recognition ignites their faith, reinforcing that true understanding comes from an open heart receptive to God’s Word and presence.
Luke 24:33-35 (NKJV)
33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
The disciples quickly return to Jerusalem to share their encounter with Jesus, confirming the testimony of His resurrection. Their story strengthens the faith of the others, showing how personal experiences of Jesus inspire and encourage the community of believers to acknowledge His power over death.
Luke 24:36-39 (NKJV)
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”
37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
Jesus’ sudden appearance startles the disciples, but He reassures them by inviting them to see and touch His wounds. By doing so, He dispels any notion that He is a mere spirit, confirming the physical reality of His resurrection and providing them with peace amid their doubts.
Luke 24:40-43 (NKJV)
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”
42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
To further reassure His disciples, Jesus eats in their presence, proving He is truly alive in a physical, resurrected body. This simple act addresses their lingering disbelief, reinforcing that His resurrection is not merely spiritual but a complete victory over death.
Luke 24:44-49 (NKJV)
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Jesus explains the significance of His life, death, and resurrection by grounding them in the Scriptures. He commissions the disciples to be witnesses of these truths and prepares them to receive the Holy Spirit, empowering them to spread the message of repentance and forgiveness to all nations.
Luke 24:50-53 (NKJV)
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
In His final act, Jesus blesses the disciples before ascending to heaven, symbolizing His continued authority and care over them. His ascension fills them with joy and inspires a commitment to worship, as they gather in the temple with newfound faith and hope, ready to carry out His mission.