Luke 24

Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 11 views
Notes
Transcript

The Resurrection

Luke 24:1–12 (ESV)
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 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? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 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, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 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.
Luke 24:1–12 (ESV)

24:1–12 Luke recounts the discovery of the empty tomb and the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection. Parallel passages appear in the other three Gospels (Matt 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; John 20:1–13).

In Luke’s account, the women from Galilee arrive at the tomb and encounter two angels who proclaim that Jesus is risen. The women report back to the apostles but cannot convince them to believe. Peter runs to the tomb to see for himself.

Luke 24:1. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
New Testament 24:1–12—The First Announcement

24:1. The sabbath ended at sundown Saturday evening; as soon as daylight breaks (by 6 a.m. at this time of year) these women head for the tomb. (In popular superstition, night was dangerous due to the predominance of demons at that time, but the women probably do not travel at night because it would be too hard to find the tomb.)

24:1 the first day of the week Refers to Sunday, the day after the Sabbath. First-century Jews understood the calendar day to begin at sunset. In accordance with Jesus’ predictions (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34), He remained buried for parts of three calendar days: the end of Friday, the entirety of Saturday (the Sabbath), and roughly the first half of Sunday (from sunset to sunrise).

Luke 24:2-3. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

24:2 the stone had been rolled away All four Gospels include this detail (Matt 28:2; Mark 16:3–4; John 20:1).

New Testament 24:1–12—The First Announcement

24:2–3. The stone was probably a large, disk-shaped stone rolled along a groove in front of the tomb. That it had been rolled back could have suggested tampering or a tomb robbery, although nothing valuable had been buried with the body.

​
Luke 24:4-5. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 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?
24:4–5. Angels often appeared as human beings in the Old Testament (Josh 5:13) and also often appeared in radiant garments or bodies (cf. 2 Kings 6:17; Dan 10:5–6). The latter was especially the case in contemporary Jewish texts (i.e., in the expectations of the people to whom this revelation is being given).
Luke 24:6-7. He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

RESURRECTION

Concept of a person being brought back from a mortal death to a state of immortality, usually involving the reunification of the spirit or the soul with an immortal body. In the OT there is no single word for resurrection; in the NT the most common Greek term is anástasis, “rise up.”

​
Luke 24:8-9. And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
24:9 to the eleven No longer the Twelve, due to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Luke records Judas’ death in Acts 1:18–19 (compare Matt 27:3–5). Judas is later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:21–26).
Luke 24:10-11. 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, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
24:10-11. Part of the reason for the apostles’ unbelief is that a resurrection of this nature contradicted their messianic expectations; another reason may have been that Jewish officials considered the witness of women nearly worthless, because they regarded women as unstable and undependable.

24:11 they refused to believe them In the Graeco-Roman world of the first century, the testimony of women was considered unreliable and could not be used to settle legal disputes. For this reason, the mention of women being the first eyewitnesses of the empty tomb suggests that Luke is faithfully reporting the early church’s recollection of this event. It also shows the vital role of women in Jesus’ ministry.

Luke 24:12. 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.
Luke 24:13–27 ESV
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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. 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?” 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, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 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. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 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. 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.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:13–27 (ESV)

24:13–35 Only Luke reports Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus. Two followers of Jesus set out from Jerusalem; as they walk toward the village of Emmaus, they talk about Jesus’ death. A third man joins them and asks about the events they are discussing, leading to an incredible revelation.

​
Luke 24:13. That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,

24:13 two of them Two previously unnamed followers of Jesus—one of which is named in Luke 24:18 as Cleopas (not any of the 11 remaining apostles).

New Testament 24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance

24:13. Sixty stadia was about seven miles. More than one place in Palestine was called Emmaus (1 Macc 3:57; 4:3; Josephus reports a different one). The exact site of Luke’s Emmaus is no longer known.

Luke 24:14-17. and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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.
New Testament (24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance)
24:14–17. Jewish travelers would not consider it unusual for a stranger, who is also a fellow Jew, to join their small company walking for some distance, especially if they assume him to be a Passover pilgrim on his way home. Jesus’ feigning ignorance to ask a question does not mean that he does not know the answer (cf. Gen 3:9, 11; 4:9–10). On their lack of recognition, see comment on 24:31–35.

24:14 all these things that had happened Refers to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.

24:16 their eyes were prevented from recognizing him As far as the men could tell, He was just another traveler.

Luke 24:18. 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?”
Luke 24:19-21. 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, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 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.
New Testament (24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance)
24:19–21. Cleopas’s words reflect the confusion all Jesus’ followers must have felt: Jesus was a prophet, as in the Old Testament, or maybe the Messiah; but the religious leaders of the nation, who of all people should have embraced and followed him, had rejected him. In Galilee and outside Palestine, where the priestly aristocracy was not as directly known as in Judea, respect for the temple leadership no doubt ran higher.

24:19–20 Prophet is a correct but inadequate designation (see 7:16). Mighty in deed and word, as shown in his casting out of demons, performing healing and nature miracles, his divine authority to forgive sins, and his extensive teaching with divine authority. Before God and all the people (24:19) stands in contrast with chief priests and rulers (v. 20). delivered him up. What Judas did in delivering Jesus over to the chief priests and rulers, they in turn did by delivering him over to Pilate (23:1). crucified him. While the physical act of crucifixion was by the Romans, Luke places the human responsibility of Jesus’ crucifixion primarily on the religious leadership.

Luke 24:22-24. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 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. 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.”

24:24 him they did not see In light of their sadness (v. 17), these followers clearly did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. The empty tomb and the report of the angels’ announcement were not enough to convince them.

Luke 24:25-27. And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
New Testament 24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance

24:25–27. Jesus surely includes references to Deuteronomy 18:15–18, Isaiah 9, 11 and 53; but the implication is that Jesus adduced principles applying to his messiahship from throughout the Old Testament. Rabbinic literature regularly praised interpreters with the deep insight into Scripture that Jesus demonstrates here.

24:25 all that the prophets have spoken Jesus explains that the OT prophets foretold of the Messiah’s death. He implies that Cleopas and his companion should have been aware of this and believed.

24:27 beginning from Moses Refers to the Law (or Pentateuch)—the first five books of the OT, which traditionally are ascribed to Moses.

The Formation of the Old Testament

all the prophets This refers to a specific collection of Hebrew Scriptures and is likely synonymous with the section called the Prophets in Hebrew Bibles. This section includes the OT books of Joshua through 2 Kings (except Ruth) and Isaiah through Malachi (except Lamentations and Daniel).

all the Scriptures It is unclear precisely which OT books this entailed.

Luke 24:28–35 ESV
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 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. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 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?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Luke 24:28–35 (ESV)
Luke 24:28. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
New Testament 24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance

24:28. It is polite for Jesus to make as if he would go on, unless they invite him to stay with them; such behavior could also test a person’s hospitality (Gen 19:2).

Luke 24:29. 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.
New Testament 24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance

24:29. Hospitality demanded no less than the lodging these disciples offer Jesus, especially because it is approaching sundown; night travel, particularly as one got farther from Jerusalem, would be dangerous due to robbers. Jewish people throughout the ancient world welcomed fellow Jews who were traveling to spend the night, and insistence was part of hospitality (e.g., Judg 19:5–9; 1 Sam 28:23).

Luke 24:30. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
New Testament (24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance)
24:30. It was also part of hospitality to offer bread to a guest, no matter how late in the evening (see comment on 11:5–6). After the long walk, these disciples would be hungry anyway. But by giving thanks and giving bread to them, Jesus takes the role usually held by the head of the household, which he had exercised among his disciples.

24:30 For other resurrection appearances associated with eating, cf. vv. 41–43; John 21:9–15; Acts 10:41. he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. There is striking similarity between this, the Last Supper (Luke 22:19), and the feeding of the 5,000 (see 9:16).

​
Luke 24:31-35. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 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?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
New Testament (24:13–35—The Emmaus Appearance)
24:31–35. Angels were sometimes said to come in disguises and reveal themselves only at the end of their mission (e.g., Raphael to Tobit and Tobias in the book of Tobit). But this was not the case with humans, including dead persons restored to earthly life in the Old Testament. Although one reason these disciples do not recognize Jesus may be that their eyes have been blinded (24:31; cf. 2 Kings 6:17), Jesus’ subsequent disappearance also seems to indicate that he has a new kind of body, the sort of body promised the righteous in the future resurrection.
Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 24)
24:31 This verse describes a supernatural occurrence that unfolds in three quick stages:
God opens the eyes of the two men—meaning they are given the ability to recognize Jesus for who He is (compare v. 16);
they then recognize the risen Jesus;
and Jesus vanishes.
​
The ESV Study Bible (Chapter 24)
24:31 Their eyes were opened when Jesus broke the bread, suggesting that they recognized him as the crucified one who died for the redemption of Israel (see v. 21). Jesus vanished. Cf. v. 36; John 20:19, 26.24:32 Did not our hearts burn within us. Even before the two disciples recognized Jesus, the fact that he opened (interpreted) the Scriptures (cf. v. 27; Acts 17:2–3) gave them hope and began convincing them of the resurrection.

24:33 that same hour and returned to Jerusalem They walk seven miles back to Jerusalem despite the dangers of traveling at night.

24:34 has appeared to Simon When Cleopas and his companion arrive in Jerusalem, their experience is confirmed: The risen Jesus has also appeared to Simon Peter (although Luke does not describe this event).

24:35 recognized by them in the breaking of the bread This may be a subtle reference to the post-Easter institution of the Lord’s Supper (see v. 30 and note). Luke could be affirming that the Christian community knows Jesus by remembering Him via the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (see 22:19).

Luke 24:36–49 ESV
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. 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.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 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.”
Luke 24:36–49 (ESV)
Luke 24:36-38. As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
24:36 Jesus … stood among them. For Jesus in his resurrected state being able to appear and disappear, cf. note on John 20:19. Peace to you. See John 20:19 and note on John 14:27.
Because the resurrection of all the dead had not yet occurred, the disciples think Jesus might be a “ghost” or some other spirit. On the popular level, some people held a belief in ghosts without considering that it contradicted the idea of afterlife in paradise or hell (Gehenna) and the doctrine of the bodily resurrection. But Jesus assures them that he is not an example of a ghost but of the bodily resurrection.

24:38 In light of what Jesus says in vv. 39–40, their doubts at least includes some confusion about the actual physical reality of Jesus’ resurrection body, and continuing questions about the reality of the resurrection itself. But Jesus will prove that it is really he who has risen from the dead by appealing to their sight (they can see him), hearing (they hear him talk), and touch (he invites them to touch him to see that he is real).

Luke 24:39-40. 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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
New Testament (24:36–43—The Nature of Jesus’ Resurrection)

24:39 Look at My hands and my feet Jesus appeals to His crucifixion wounds as evidence of His humanity in resurrected form.

24:39 See … Touch me, and see (cf. John 20:25, 27; 1 John 1:1). Jesus is not a disembodied spirit. it is I. The risen Christ and Jesus of Nazareth are one and the same person, though the resurrected body of the risen Christ is gloriously different from his pre-resurrection body, in that his body now is fully healed, and strong, and not subject to the death and decay of the flesh (see 1 Cor. 15:1–19, 50–58).
24:39–40. Some victims were tied onto crosses; others were nailed on. The nails would have been driven through the wrists (which could be called part of the hand). A nail through the ankles may not have been common (the evidence of one excavated example is in dispute), but there was nothing to have kept soldiers from doing it.
Luke 24:41-43. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
New Testament 24:36–43—The Nature of Jesus’ Resurrection

24:41–43. In most Jewish traditions, angels did not eat earthly food.

24:43 and ate it in front of them Additional proof that Jesus is not merely a spirit, but is alive in full human form.

Luke 24:44-46. 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.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
New Testament (24:44–53—The Final Commission)
24:44–46. See comment on 24:25–27. Other Jewish writings mention the threefold division of the Old Testament. Jewish interpreters sometimes spoke of God “opening their eyes” to his truths, language with Old Testament precedent (Ps 119:18). Although the Gospels report Jesus’ disagreement with his contemporaries on many issues, every stratum of Gospel tradition reports his appeal to the Old Testament to define his mission. Although he may have disagreed with many of his contemporaries on Old Testament interpretation, he agrees with them concerning its authority.

24:45 opened their minds to understand the scriptures A supernatural enablement to comprehend the significance of Jesus’ statement in Luke 24:46–47 (compare v. 31 and note).

Luke 24:47-49. and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 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.”
New Testament 24:44–53—The Final Commission

24:47–49. Isaiah spoke of Israel being witnesses to (or against) all the nations in the end time (43:10; 44:8), by means of the endowment of the Spirit (42:1; 44:3). The Spirit was especially associated with the ability to prophesy, to speak as God inspired a person to speak.

24:47 beginning from Jerusalem In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke reports that the ministry of Jesus’ followers begins in Jerusalem (see Acts 1:12).

24:48 witnesses Luke’s account of the Great Commission emphasizes that the disciples will act as Jesus’ witnesses. This commission is repeated in Acts 1:8.

24:49 what was promised by my Father A reference to the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:4, 8; 2:1–21; compare Joel 2:28–32; John 14:26).

Luke 24:50–53 ESV
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Luke 24:50–53 (ESV)
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.
New Testament 24:44–53—The Final Commission

24:50. Priests lifted their hands to give the priestly benediction over the people (“May the Lord bless you, and keep you …”—Num 6:24–27).

While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
New Testament 24:44–53—The Final Commission

24:52–53. Many of the temple courts were used for prayer. Ancient writers often framed literary units by starting and ending on the same point; Luke frames his whole Gospel by starting and ending it in the temple.

24:52 returned to Jerusalem The disciples obey Jesus’ command in Luke 24:49.

with great joy The disciples’ doubt, fear, and sadness (compare vv. 11, 17, 37) is replaced with joy after seeing the risen Jesus.

​
​
​
​
​
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Copyright 2024 Logos Bible SoftwareFeatures|Pricing|Privacy|Terms of Use|Support