Luke 24

This is the final chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Following the crucifixion and burial in chapter 23, it reports the events of the resurrection on the first day of the week and closes the book with Jesus' departure from his disciples.

Outline

• Verses 1–12 The women go to the tomb with spices but do not find the body. Two men in shining garments announce that he "is risen." The women report this to the apostles, who do not believe them. Peter goes to the tomb and sees only the linen clothes.
• Verses 13–27 That same day two disciples travel to Emmaus, "threescore furlongs" (about seven miles) away. Jesus walks with them, but they do not recognize him. Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounds to them the things concerning himself.
• Verses 28–35 When Jesus breaks bread and gives it to them, the two disciples' eyes are opened. They return at once to Jerusalem, where they hear that the Lord has appeared to Simon.
• Verses 36–43 Jesus stands among the disciples and pronounces peace upon them. He shows them his hands and feet and eats a piece of broiled fish.
• Verses 44–49 He declares that what was written in the law, the prophets, and the psalms has been fulfilled, and he speaks of repentance being preached to all nations and of the promise of the Father. He tells the disciples to remain in the city until they are endued with power.
• Verses 50–53 Near Bethany he lifts up his hands, blesses them, and departs. The disciples return with great joy and praise God in the temple.

Key Verses

• Luke 24:5–6 "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen." This is Luke's proclamation of the resurrection.
• Luke 24:32 "Did not our heart burn within us …?" The verse depicts the experience of recognizing the risen Lord through hearing the Scriptures explained.
• Luke 24:47–48 "… should be preached in his name among all nations … And ye are witnesses of these things." This is the missionary commission as presented in Luke.

People and Places

• Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: the women who first saw the empty tomb and reported the news.
• Peter: runs to the tomb to see for himself. In verse 34 he is called "Simon."
• Cleopas: the one of the two travelers to Emmaus whose name is given.
• Emmaus: a village threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. Various sites have been proposed for its exact location.
• Bethany: the place where Jesus blessed his disciples and departed.

Points for Reflection

• The other traveler to Emmaus: The text does not give a name. Suggestions that this was Cleopas's wife or Luke himself are later conjectures.
• The breaking of bread (vv. 30, 35): Some interpreters read this as a scene evoking the Lord's Supper. Others regard it as an ordinary meal and are cautious about linking it directly to the sacrament.
• Manuscript differences: The words "carried up into heaven" in verse 51 and "they worshipped him" in verse 52 are absent from some manuscripts. For this reason, some translations place them in brackets or add a footnote.
• Connection with Acts: Acts 1 describes in greater detail the appearances over forty days and the Ascension. The "promise of my Father" in verse 49 points forward to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Scholars explain the chronological relationship between the two accounts in different ways.

In the Korean Church

The empty tomb narrative and the road to Emmaus account are frequently used as texts for Easter sermons. The words of verse 32, "Did not our heart burn within us," are widely quoted in Bible study and at gatherings devoted to the preaching of the Word. The phrase in verse 50, "he lifted up his hands, and blessed them," is also sometimes cited in explanations of the benediction.