B. W. Johnson’s People’s New Testament on Luke 24

Verse 1

The Risen Lord SUMMARY OF LUKE 24: The Women at the Sepulcher. Peter Sees the Empty Tomb. The Lord Appears to the Two Disciples. Jesus Appears in the Midst of the Eleven. The Commission to Preach to All Nations. The Ascension. The Empty Tomb. See notes on Mt 28:1-10.

Upon the first [day] of the week. The Lord's day, our Sunday. The women had "beheld the tomb and how his body was laid" (Lu 23:55) on Friday, then "prepared spices and ointments" in accordance with Jewish burial customs, and "rested on the Sabbath day (Saturday) according to the commandment" (Lu 23:56), but early Sunday morning came to the tomb on their mission of love.

They came. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Joses (Mt 28:1), Salome (Mr 16:1), and Joanna (Lu 24:10).

Verses 2–3

They found the stone rolled away.

See PNT Mr 16:3. They knew nothing of the Roman guard that had been placed there.

Verses 4–5

Behold, two men. Angels (Mt 28:5).

Verses 6–10

Remember how he spake unto you . . . in Galilee. See Mt 16:21 17:22 Mr 8:31 9:31 Joh 2:22. These women comprehended his words.

Verse 11

Seemed to them as idle tales. To the apostles. They seemed to have not the slightest expectation of a resurrection.

Verse 12

Then arose Peter. John was with him (Joh 20:1-10). At the tomb John believed.

Verses 13–14

Two of them went that same day. This account is given in detail by Luke only. Cleopas was one of the two (Lu 24:18). Compare Mr 16:12.

Emmaus. Six or eight miles west of Jerusalem.

Verse 15

While they communed. About Jesus and his death.

Jesus himself drew near. When our thoughts are upon him we are likeliest to enjoy his presence.

Verses 16–17

Their eyes were holden. This was their explanation of not knowing him. Mark says that Jesus was "in another form" (Mr 16:12).

Verse 18

Cleopas. This was one of the names of the husband of the mother of James and Joses (Joh 19:25).

Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem? Cleopas is surprised that any one in Jerusalem should be ignorant of the marvelous events.

Verses 19–20

What things? Christ asked this, only that they should declare what they believed, had hoped, and their disappointment.

Verses 21–24

We trusted that it had been he which should redeem Israel. They hoped. They did not now hope. Their hopes were buried.

Verse 25

O fools. Because "slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken".

Verses 26–28

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things? See Isa 53:1-12 Da 9:26, as well as all the types.

Verse 29

Abide with us. For the night.

Verse 30

Took bread, and blessed [it]. Not as a guest, but as the host.

Verses 31–32

Their eyes were opened. They recognized him.

Verse 33

They rose up the same hour. They could not keep such news until the next day.

Found the eleven gathered together. This is probably the meeting recorded in Joh 20:19-23.

Verses 34–35

Hath appeared to Simon. See 1Co 15:5.

Verses 36–38

Jesus himself stood in the midst of them. Though the doors were shut (Joh 20:19).

Verses 39–40

Behold my hands and my feet. Thomas, who was not present, referred afterwards to these tests (Joh 20:25). His body retained the marks of his suffering.

Verses 41–42

While they yet believed not for joy. They felt it was too good to be believed.

Verse 43

He took [it], and did eat. As a proof that it was his bodily presence.

Verses 44–48

And he said unto them. Between verses 43 and 44, Luke passes over an interval of weeks, and many appearances of the Risen Christ, to come at once to the event of his Ascension. The Lord, about to send them forth to preach, "opens their mind that they might understand the Scriptures", and then repeats the Commission, before given in Galilee. He requires that (1) Repentance, (2) Remission of Sins, (3) Shall be Preached in his Name, (4) Unto All Nations, (5) Beginning at Jerusalem. This was literally obeyed on the day of Pentecost.

Luke 24