Luke 24

24:1-12 Women were the first to find the tomb empty and to hear the announcement of the resurrection. This is strong evidence for the historicity of the resurrection accounts. In first-century Judaism, women were not regarded as reliable witnesses, so the church would never have created stories in which women discovered the empty tomb.24:1 But very early on Sunday morning: The early church worshiped on the first day of the week (Sunday) instead of the seventh (Saturday, the Sabbath) because Jesus rose on a Sunday morning (cp. Acts 20:7; Rev 1:10).

24:2 The stone was probably a large round stone that was rolled down a track to cover the tomb’s entrance.

24:4 two men suddenly appeared: Angels often appear as young men in Scripture (Gen 18:2; 19:1, 10; Josh 5:13; Judg 13:6-11; Heb 13:2). Dazzling white robes symbolize purity and holiness (Dan 10:5-6; Acts 1:10; Rev 4:4; 19:14).

24:5-7 Jesus had told his followers many times that he would rise from the dead (see 9:22, 44; 17:25; 18:31-34). Jesus’ resurrection is a key tenet of the Christian faith (see 1 Cor 15:3-7, 12-57).

24:7 Jesus rose on the third day, counting Friday as the first day and Sunday as the third.

24:9 His eleven disciples were the Twelve minus Judas.

24:10 Mary Magdalene and Joanna are mentioned in 8:2-3. Mary the mother of James is not the mother of James, the son of Zebedee (see Matt 27:56), but might be the mother of James, the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15).

24:12 Peter . . . ran to the tomb to look: John also accompanied Peter (John 20:2-9).

24:13-34 This account is Luke’s unique contribution to the resurrection narratives. Jesus corrected these disciples’ misunderstanding by showing from Scripture that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer. He then opened their eyes to the truth of his resurrection.24:13 two of Jesus’ followers: Jesus had many disciples in addition to the Twelve (see 10:1, 17). Nothing else is known of Cleopas (24:18) or the other disciple (who may have been his wife). They were probably returning from celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem.

24:16 God kept them from recognizing him: The Greek uses a passive construction (they were kept from recognizing him) known as a “divine passive,” with God as the implied subject. God intentionally blinded their eyes until the moment of revelation, when Jesus broke bread with them (24:30-31; cp. 2 Kgs 6:17).

24:18 the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things: The Romans conducted crucifixions at major public crossroads to make an example of the victims and warn others against revolt. It was unthinkable to these disciples that a Passover pilgrim would not have heard of Jesus’ crucifixion.

24:19 Jesus is often portrayed as a prophet in Luke’s Gospel (see 7:16; cp. the description of Moses in Acts 7:22).

24:21 We had hoped he was the Messiah: Literally we had hoped he was the one who would deliver Israel. This is a reference to the Messiah—the crucifixion had dashed their hopes.

24:22 an amazing report: See 24:10-11.

24:25-26 the prophets wrote . . . that the Messiah would have to suffer: The crucifixion did not negate Jesus’ identity as the Messiah but confirmed it, because the death of the Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus rebuked the two for not recognizing from Scripture that the Messiah had to suffer (see Isa 50:4-9; 52:13–53:12; Pss 2, 16, 22, 118; cp. Luke 18:32; 20:17; 23:37; Acts 2:25-28; 4:25-26).

24:27 All the Scriptures, meaning all of the Old Testament, point forward to the coming of Jesus the Messiah and the salvation that he would bring.

24:29 they begged him, “Stay the night with us”: Middle Eastern hospitality demanded that they offer food and lodging to this stranger (Gen 18:3; 19:2; Judg 19:5-9).

24:30 As they sat down to eat: The meal is a symbol of the messianic banquet and of the salvation that God is accomplishing (Isa 25:6-8; Luke 14:1-24). • Then he broke it and gave it to them: This action recalls the feeding of the 5,000 (9:16) and the institution of the Lord’s Supper (22:19).

24:31 their eyes were opened: This is another example of the “divine passive” (see study note on 24:16); God opened their eyes at the breaking of the bread. • at that moment he disappeared! In his resurrected and transformed body, Jesus had abilities not realized before the resurrection (see 24:36; 1 Cor 15:20-23, 35-57).

24:34 Peter: This appearance to Simon Peter is not narrated in the Gospels, but Paul independently confirms it in 1 Cor 15:5.

24:39 ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do: In his resurrected state, Jesus was not an immaterial spirit, but had a real immortal and imperishable body. Believers will receive similar bodies at the final resurrection (1 Cor 15:35-57).

24:44 the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms: Jesus referred to the three sections of the Hebrew Scriptures: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. The entire Old Testament points to God’s salvation through Christ.

24:46 that the Messiah would suffer and die: See study note on 24:25-26.

24:47 The Old Testament was the universal proclamation of the Gospel to all the nations: See Isa 42:6; 49:6; Joel 2:28-32; Amos 9:11-12; Acts 2:17-21; 13:47; 15:16-18.

24:48 The primary role of the apostles in the book of Acts was to be witnesses to the fulfillment of Scripture in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (see Acts 1:8).

24:49 I will send the Holy Spirit: The Old Testament predicted that God would pour out his Spirit on all people (Isa 32:15; Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-32). This prediction was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-21).

24:50-53 Luke also narrates Jesus’ ascension in Acts 1:1-11. For Luke, Jesus’ ascension confirmed his vindication, exaltation, and enthronement at God’s right hand as Messiah and Lord (Acts 2:24-36). From his position of glory and authority in heaven, Jesus guides and directs his church.24:50 Bethany: See study note on 19:29; see also Acts 1:11-12; cp. Zech 14:4.

24:51 Cp. 2 Kgs 2:11. Jesus’ ascension was his exaltation to a position of authority over all creation (see Acts 2:32-36; 5:31; Eph 1:19-23; Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:13).

24:53 The Temple was a place of worship as well as of sacrifice. The apostles continued in their Jewish manner of worship because their goal was not to create a new religion but to announce the fulfillment of Scripture’s promises of salvation through Jesus the Messiah.