Luke 24

On the first day of the week: 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 (compare Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).

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.

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

suddenly two men … stood beside them: Angels often appear as young men in the Bible (Genesis 18:2; 19:1, 10; Joshua 5:13; Judges 13:6–11; Hebrews 13:2). Radiant apparel (bright, shining clothes) is a symbol of purity and holiness (Daniel 10:5–6; Acts 1:10; Revelation 4:4; 19:14).

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

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

the Eleven: These were the Twelve disciples minus Judas. Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus and was no longer with them.

Luke 8:2–3 mentions Mary Magdalene and Joanna. Mary the mother of James is not the mother of James, the son of Zebedee (see Matthew 27:56). But she might be the mother of James, the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15).

Peter … ran to the tomb: John went with him (John 20:2–9).

two of them: Jesus had many disciples in addition to the Twelve (see 10:1, 17). Nothing else is known of Cleopas or the other disciple, who might have been his wife (24:18). They were probably returning from celebrating the Passover feast in Jerusalem.

Luke alone records this resurrection appearance. Jesus corrected the disciples’ misunderstanding by showing from the Scriptures that the Christ had to suffer. Then he opened their eyes to understand that he had risen from the dead.

were kept from recognizing Him: The Greek text uses a passive construction here. This is called a “divine passive” (a way of speaking that shows God is acting, even when God is not named). So here, even though the sentence does not name God as the one acting, the meaning is that God is the one who prevented them from recognizing Jesus. God chose not to let them see who he was until the moment he revealed himself, when Jesus broke bread with them (24:30–31; compare 2 Kings 6:17).

Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things: The Romans carried out crucifixions at busy public crossroads to make an example of the victims and warn others not to rebel. For these disciples, it was hard to imagine that a visitor in Jerusalem for Passover (a major Jewish festival) would not have heard about the crucifixion of Jesus.

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

we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel: This refers to the Messiah. The crucifixion had ended their hopes.

some of our women astounded us: See 24:10–11.

The prophets wrote that the Christ (the Messiah, God’s chosen king) would have to suffer. The crucifixion did not show that Jesus was not the Christ. Instead, it confirmed that he is the Christ, because Scripture had already said that the Christ would suffer and die. Jesus corrected the two disciples because they did not understand from Scripture that this had to happen (see Isaiah 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12; Psalms 2, 16, 22, 118; compare Luke 18:32; 20:17; 23:37; Acts 2:25–28; 4:25–26).

all the Scriptures: This means all of the Old Testament. The Scriptures point forward to the coming of Jesus the Messiah and the salvation that he would bring.

they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us“: In Middle Eastern culture, hospitality (kindness to guests) required people to offer food and a place to stay, even to a stranger (Genesis 18:3; 19:2; Judges 19:5–9).

• He was reclining at the table with them: The meal is a symbol of the messianic banquet (the future feast when God’s chosen king gathers his people) and of the salvation that God is bringing about (Isaiah 25:6–8; Luke 14:1–24).

• and 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).

• Their eyes were opened: This is another example of the “divine passive” (a way of speaking that shows God is acting, even when he is not named; see study note on 24:16). God opened their eyes when Jesus broke the bread. This means they were finally able to recognize Jesus.

• and He disappeared from their sight: In his resurrected and transformed body, Jesus showed abilities he had not shown before the resurrection (see 24:36; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23, 35–57).

Simon: The Gospels do not describe this appearance to Simon Peter, but Paul also confirms it in 1 Corinthians 15:5.

a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have: After rising from the dead, Jesus was not a spirit without a body. He had a real body that could never die again or decay. Believers will receive similar bodies at the final resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:35–57).

in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and 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.

The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead: See study note on 24:25–26.

repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations: See Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Joel 2:28–32; Amos 9:11–12; Acts 2:17–21; 13:47; 15:16–18.

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).

I am sending the promise of My Father: The Old Testament prophesied that God would pour out his Holy Spirit on all people (Isaiah 32:15; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26–27; Joel 2:28–32). This prophecy came true on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14–21).

Bethany: See study note on 19:29. See also Acts 1:11–12; Zechariah 14:4.

Luke also tells about the ascension of Jesus (his return to heaven) in Acts 1:1–11. For Luke, this event showed that God had:

• vindicated Jesus (proved that he was right),

• exalted him (lifted him to the highest place), and

• seated him at his right hand as Messiah (God’s chosen king) and Lord (the one with full authority; Acts 2:24–36).

From this place of glory and authority in heaven, Jesus leads and guides his church.

Compare 2 Kings 2:11. The ascension of Jesus marked his exaltation to a position of authority over all creation (see Acts 2:32–36; 5:31; Ephesians 1:19–23; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 1:13).

the temple: This was a place for worship and 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.