Luke Chapter 24 — The Resurrection and Ascension

Luke 24 records the resurrection of Jesus, his appearances to the disciples on the road to Emmaus and in Jerusalem, and his ascension to heaven.

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1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.

2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

3They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.

4While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.

5Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth.

6He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee,

7saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”

8They remembered his words,

9returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

10Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles.

11These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them.

12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.

13Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia*60 stadia = about 11 kilometers or about 7 miles. from Jerusalem.

14They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.

15While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them.

16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

17He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”

18One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”

19He said to them, “What things?”

20and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

21But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

22Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb;

23and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

24Some of us went to the tomb and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”

25He said to them, “Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

26Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?”

27Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.

29They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”

30When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them.

31Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight.

32They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”

33They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,

34saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

35They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

36As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

37But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”

40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

42They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.

43He took them, and ate in front of them.

44He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.”

45Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.

46He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,

47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48You are witnesses of these things.

49Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”

50He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

WEB Translation

Notable Verses

Luke 24:6-7

He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?

This verse is the central announcement of the resurrection, reminding the followers of Jesus' own prophecies.

Luke 24:32

They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”

This describes the powerful impact of understanding how the Old Testament Scriptures pointed toward the Messiah.

Luke 24:48

You are witnesses of these things.

This establishes the primary role of the apostles as first-hand witnesses to the events of Jesus' life and resurrection.

Chapter Summary

The final chapter of Luke begins on the first day of the week as women discover the empty tomb and are met by two angels who declare that Jesus has risen. Although the apostles initially doubt their report, Peter finds the linen strips alone in the tomb. Jesus then appears anonymously to two disciples traveling to Emmaus, explaining how the Scriptures prophesied the Messiah's suffering and glory. He reveals his identity while breaking bread before vanishing. Jesus subsequently appears to the gathered eleven in Jerusalem, proving his physical resurrection by showing his wounds and eating fish in their presence. He opens their minds to understand the law and prophets, commissions them to preach repentance to all nations, and tells them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. The Gospel concludes with Jesus blessing his disciples at Bethany before being carried into heaven, leaving them praising God in the temple.

Frequently Asked Questions

A group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, were the first to find the tomb empty. They were greeted by two men in dazzling clothing who informed them that Jesus had risen.

Two disciples were walking and discussing Jesus' death when Jesus himself joined them, though they were prevented from recognizing him. After he explained how the Scriptures foretold his life, they recognized him during the breaking of bread at dinner.

Jesus invited the apostles to touch his hands and feet to see his flesh and bones, proving he was not a spirit. He also ate a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb in their presence to demonstrate his physical reality.

According to the text, Jesus led his followers out as far as Bethany. While he was blessing them, he withdrew and was carried up into heaven.

Study Note

Luke's detailed emphasis on Jesus eating food and possessing flesh and bones was likely intended to demonstrate the literal, physical nature of the resurrection.

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