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Luke Chapter Twenty-four

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Resurrection Appearing and Ascension of the Son of Man the Savior

I. The declaration of resurrection (v.1-12).

II. He appeared to the two disciples who went to a village called Emmaus (v.13-35).

III. He appeared to eleven apostles in Jerusalem (v.36-43).

IV. He entrusted the disciples to wait for the promised power (v.44-49).

V. He was carried up into heaven (v.50-53).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Luke. 24:1 “Now on the first day of the week very early in the morning they and certain other women with them came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

   YLT: “And on the first of the sabbaths at early dawn they came to the tomb bearing the spices they made ready and certain [others] with them ”

   The Background: according to the funeral custom of the Jews in ancient times they anoint the body with ointment and wound it in linen clothes with the spices (See Mark. 14:8; John. 19:40).

   Literal Meaning: there is a “but” in the beginning of this verse in the original. This “but” is very precious and it reveals a very important truth: though our Lord Jesus had been buried He did not stay in the tomb.

  “On the first day of the week” There were seven days in a week according to the Jewish calendar and the seventh day was the Sabbath (See Gen 2:2-3). Therefore the Sabbath was the last day of a week and the next day was a new beginning of another week i.e. Sunday “the Lord’s day” of Christians (See Rev 1:10). The Jews took Sunday as “the first day of the week” and believers in the New Testament called Sunday “the Lord’s day” in order to remember the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (See Acts 20:7; 1Cor 16:2).

  They and certain other women with them came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.” Men are not allowed to do business on the Sabbath. Some of the spices which they had prepared may be bought before sunset of Friday (See 23:56) and others may be bought after sunset of Saturday (See Mark. 16:1). They brought the spices and came to the tomb in order to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus showing that they did not expect that the Lord would rise.

   Spiritual Meaning: “the first day of the week” It symbolized the beginning of a new age. The burial of the Lord had finished the old creation and the resurrection of the Lord had brought about the new creation.

  “Very early in the morning” It symbolized that the Lord’s life of resurrection had broken through the power of darkness and brought those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death the dayspring from on high (See 1:78-79 Matt. 4:16).

  They and certain other women with them came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.” These women followed the Lord till the cross (See 23:49; Mark. 15:40) and were the last ones who left the tomb (See 23:55; Mark. 15:47) and the first ones who returned to the tomb. Therefore they could be the representative of those who were drawn near to the Lord and loved and pursued Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The general people have their life be concluded as their death. “But” the Lord Jesus is totally different. Beloved believers do you have this “but” in your faith?

2) The Lord Jesus rose in “the first day of the week” symbolizing that the resurrection of Christ had brought a new beginning. The old things have passed away. Behold all things have become new (2Cor 5:17).

3) “Very early in the morning” whenever we believers live in the old creation we will live in darkness. And whenever we live in the new creation we will enter the spiritual early morning.

4) The Lord said: “I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)”. Resurrection not only reveals that He is the Lord of life (See Acts 3:15) but also manifests that life has sorrowed up the death (2Cor 4:10-11; 5:4).

5) Though the Lord Jesus had died the sisters came to the tomb to anoint Him because of love showing that their love towards had transcended death and was stronger than death (See Song 8:6).

6) They had not anointed the body of the Lord Jesus finally for He had risen! Therefore he who desires to anoint the Lord should catch the opportunity (See 14:3-4). Once one has missed the chance it will be too late to repent. If we love the Lord we shall catch every chance to love Him without delay.

7) The love of those sisters towards the Lord is very precious however their love is the love of despair------the love that lacks faith. Our love towards the Lord should include the faith.

 

Luke. 24:2 “But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

   YLT: “and they found the stone having been rolled away from the tomb ”

   The Background: at that time a rich man’s tomb was a stone cave chiseled out of a rock looking like a house which had a stone bed stone tables and stone chairs for the purpose of mourning for the dead. There was a low rectangle groove used to put the body with the spices. The entrance of the stone cave was blocked by a big round stone in a track chiseled out of a bedrock. Only strong men could roll away the stone out of the door of the sepulcher.

   Literal Meaning: “the stone rolled away from the tomb” the purpose of the stone’s being rolled away was not letting the Lord Jesus come out (for He did not have such demand) but making the women come in (See Mark. 16:3).

   Spiritual Meaning: “the stone rolled away from the tomb” it symbolized that the risen power had removed all the obstacles thus manifesting the risen life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If we love and serve the Lord we will be confronted with many difficulties and obstacles (what the big stone symbolizes). However we shall not worry about how to resolve it.

2) If we advance bravely without escaping all the difficulties and afflictions we will find that many difficulties (stone) have been already taken away by the Lord.

 

Luke. 24:3 “Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

   YLT: “and having gone in they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.”

   Literal Meaning: “did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” The compound noun “the Lord Jesus” is recorded two times in the four Gospels and it is also recorded in Mark. 16:19.

  “The body of the Lord Jesus” is the core of this chapter: 1) the women prepared spices in order to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus; 2) Peter looked over the body of the Lord Jesus (See v.12); 3) the two disciples who went to a village called Emmaus talked about the body of the Lord Jesus (See v.13-14); 4) the disciples looked attentively at the body of the Lord Jesus and were joyful (See v.36-42).

 

Luke. 24:4 “And it happened as they were greatly perplexed about this that behold two men stood by them in shining garments.

   YLT: “And it came to pass while they are perplexed about this that lo two men stood by them in glittering apparel ”

   Meaning of Words: “perplexed”: be in doubt be nonplussed; “shining”: to flash as lightening lighten.

   Literal Meaning: “that behold two men stood by them in shining garments.” “Two men” were angels (See v.23; John. 20:12) and they appeared to men by the image of men.

When the Lord was born there were angels coming to preach the glad tidings (See 2:10). When the Lord was raised from the dead there were also angels coming to verify it. Both of them were great events that shook heaven and earth. Therefore they were preached by angels from the heaven and were heard and seen by men on the earth.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Many believers seemed to be perplexed about the resurrection of the Lord.

2) Though “being perplexed” is better than “unbelief” it is not good enough. We should pray to the Lord that He could open our eyes of hearts so that we could be delivered from the stage of “doubt” as soon as possible.

 

Luke. 24:5 “Then as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth they said to them Why do you seek the living among the dead?

   YLT: “and on their having become afraid and having inclined the face to the earth they said to them ‘Why do ye seek the living with the dead?”

   Meaning of Words: “be afraid”: tremble be terrified (in the original there is “having become” before “afraid”).

   Literal Meaning: “why do you seek the living among the dead?” means “why do you seek the rising Lord in the tomb which buried the dead?”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (another translation in the original). Yes! Christ and that is of Christ are “living”. And therefore if we want to find the living Christ in all that is of the death------earthly of men of the letters of the ceremonies religious traditional…… it is like fishing in the air and it is in vain.  

2) Church is “the assembly of the living God” (1Tim. 3:15) and she is not the “dead” building group or organization. The church is living and of life.

3) It is hard for men to meet the rising Christ in the inert gatherings. 

 

Luke. 24:6 “He is not here but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee

   YLT: “he is not here but was raised; remember how he spake to you being yet in Galilee

   Meaning of Words: risen”: awake rise.

   Literal Meaning: “how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee.” The Lord Jesus predicted that “He must be killed and be raised the third day” in Galilee (See 9:22).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “He is not here but is risen!” Though He had been put in the tomb the tomb was by no means His destination. Likewise we all will die but death is not our destination.

2) Death could not lock Him as the tomb cannot hold Him (See Acts. 2:24). Believers also cannot remain in the places of death. Since we have already had this life of resurrection we should usually have the experience that “death is swallowed up of life”.

3) If Christ is not risen then our faith is vain (1Cor. 15:14) because:

        a. The Lord Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection form the dead (Rom. 1:4).

  b. God has proved that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God to us His children in that He has raised up Jesus (Acts. 13:33; Ps. 2:7).

  c. Jesus was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification (Rom. 4:25).

  d. If Christ is not raised we are yet in our sins (1Cor. 15:17).

  e. Christ was raised from the dead and became the first-fruits of them that slept. Even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1Cor. 15:20-23).

  f. If believers won’t be risen in this life we only have hope in Christ and we are of all men most miserable (1Cor. 15:19).

 

Luke. 24:7 “saying The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again.’”

   YLT: “saying It behoveth the Son of Man to be delivered up to the hands of sinful men and to be crucified and the third day to rise again.’”

   Literal Meaning: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men” “Sinful men” generally refer to the world that do not believe in Him and reject Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “And be crucified and the third day rise again.” There are two ends in the life of believers------death and resurrection. It is the reality of the Lord and it is also our experience. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus are not only the dual foundations of justification but also the dual grounds of sanctification. It is the same with us that we have to face death and resurrection every day and we must put the members which are upon the earth to death by the Holy Spirit and reckon ourselves to be dead. Today we live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died for us and rose again.

2) The Lord rose “the third day” after His suffering (See v7). In the creation of God in Genesis it was also the third day in which there was life (See Gen 1:11-13). Therefore that the Lord rose in the third day symbolized the manifestation of the life of God.

3) The cross is the way to resurrection and resurrection is the inevitable outcome of the cross.

 

Luke. 24:8 “And they remembered His words.

   YLT: “And they remembered his sayings ”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The word of the Lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105). It is also the best answer when we encounter with dread and uncertainty.

2) Remembering the word of the Lord would enable us to receive fresh enlightenment again and it is also the key to the recovery of our spirit.

 

Luke. 24:9 “Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

   YLT: “and having turned back from the tomb told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.”

   Literal Meaning: “told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” After Judas had betrayed the Lord the Bible usually used “the eleven” to denote the whole apostles (See Acts. 1:26; 2:14). “All the rest” refer to the other disciples and most of which were from Galilee.

 

Luke. 24:10 “It was Mary Magdalene Joanna Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles.

   YLT: “And it was the Magdalene Mary and Joanna and Mary of James and the other women with them who told unto the apostles these things ”

   Literal Meaning: Mary Magdalene” The Lord Jesus once cast out seven demons from her (See 8:2; Mark. 16:9).

  “Joanna” It is said that she was wife of Chuza Herod's steward (See 8:3). Her name was only recorded in the Gospel of Luke.

  “Mary the mother of James” was the mother of Jesus (See Matt. 13:55; 27:56).

 

Luke. 24:11 “And their words seemed to them like idle tales and they did not believe them.

   YLT: “and their sayings appeared before them as idle talk and they were not believing them.”

   Meaning of Words: “seem”: appear like; “idle tales”: silliness (the medical term and it means that one has a metal disorder and speaks incoherently).

 

Luke. 24:12 “But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed marveling to himself at what had happened.

   YLT: “And Peter having risen did run to the tomb and having stooped down he seeth the linen clothes lying alone and he went away to his own home wondering at that which was come to pass.”

   Literal Meaning: “he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves” “The linen cloths” were the cloths that bound the body of Jesus. What surprised the disciples was that the Lord’s body was not there but the shape of the linen clothes remained without any disorder. If He was stolen by others the linen cloths would be definitely carried away together or the linen cloths would be unfastened and the shape would be in disorder.

 

Luke. 24:13 “Now behold two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus which was seven miles from Jerusalem.

   YLT: “And lo two of them were going on during that day to a village distant sixty furlongs from Jerusalem the name of which [is] Emmaus ”

   Literal Meaning: “which was seven miles from Jerusalem” “seven miles” is six stadions in the original and every stadion is about 185 meters and therefore the distance should be about 11kilometers.

   Spiritual Meaning: Jerusalem” symbolizes the church. “Emmaus” symbolizes the world. “Two of them were traveling to a village called Emmaus” symbolizes believers who are on the downhill path of the spirit.

 

Luke. 24:14 “And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

   YLT: “and they were conversing with one another about all these things that have happened.”

   Literal Meaning: “all these things which had happened” denote the things that the Lord was took judged crucified and risen. 

 

Luke. 24:15 “So it was while they conversed and reasoned that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.

   YLT: “And it came to pass in their conversing and reasoning together that Jesus himself having come nigh was going on with them ”

   Enlightenment in the Word: when believers are spiritually weak and on the downhill path of the spirit (to Emmaus) the Lord Himself always drew near and went with us with the aim of bringing us to the church (Jerusalem).

 

Luke. 24:16 “But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him.

   YLT: “and their eyes were holden so as not to know him ”

   Meaning of Words: “restrain”: seize retain hold take by.

   Literal Meaning: “their eyes were restrained” The passive voice “were restrained” shows that their eyes were restrained by the external world so that the function of their eyes cannot be performed.

  “They did not know Him” They only knew Jesus the Savior according to the flesh and did not know Christ the Savior in the resurrection.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Our eyes “are always restrained” and they are unreliable and therefore we should know Him according to the flesh and we should know Him by faith (See 2Cor. 5:7 16).

2) The Lord Himself went with the two disciples (See v.15) however they “did not know Him”. When we are weak and think that the Lord leaves us we indeed should know that He goes with us!

 

Luke. 24:17 “And He said to them What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?’”

   YLT: “and he said unto them `What [are] these words that ye exchange with one another walking and ye are sad?’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) They talked about the things concerning the Lord (See v.19) however they “were sad”. It is description of many believers today------they enter the meeting search the Bible and talk about the things concerning the Lord however it seems that they have not received the joy of the Lord.

2) The two disciples “were sad” because “their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him” (v.16). Everyone who knows Him is with great joy (See v.41 52).

 

Luke. 24:18 “Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?’”

   YLT: “And the one whose name was Cleopas answering said unto him `Art thou alone such a stranger in Jerusalem that thou hast not known the things that came to pass in it in these days?’”

   Meaning of Words: “the only stranger”: reside as a foreigner.

   Literal Meaning: the one whose name was Cleopas” The name “Cleopas” was only recorded one time in the whole Bible and his origins remained obscure. The story that two disciples met the Lord when they went to Emmaus was briefly recorded in the Gospel of Mark (Mark. 16:12-13). However this story was narrated in detail by Luke. And therefore presumably Luke received the message directly from Cleopas.

In addition “Cleopas” is similar to “Cleophas” in the original and therefore some Bible exegetes believed that they were actually the same one and the other of the two disciples whose name wasn’t recorded here was his wife Mary (See John. 19:25).

  “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem”. Cleopas formerly thought that Jesus was the only stranger in Jerusalem for the feast. Only the only stranger should not know the event in Jerusalem those days that resounded far and near.

 

Luke. 24:19 “And He said to them What things? So they said to Him The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people

   YLT: “And he said to them ‘What things?’ And they said to him `The things about Jesus of Nazareth who became a man a prophet powerful in deed and word before God and all the people ”

   Literal Meaning: “who was a Prophet” “prophet” is the one sent by God and speaks for God.

  “Mighty in deed and word” Please note that they only knew the might of the Lord Jesus in the flesh and did not know the power of His resurrection (See Pill. 3:10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Every “prophet” who truly speaks for God must “be mighty in deed and word” and be full of the power of the Holy Spirit.

2) Christ is God’s prophet: He “is mighty in word” revealing the mysteries of God; He “is mighty in deed” manifesting the fullness of God.

 

Luke. 24:20 “and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and crucified Him.

   YLT: “how also the chief priests and our rulers did deliver him up to a judgment of death and crucified him;”

 

Luke. 24:21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed besides all this today is the third day since these things happened.

   YLT: “and we were hoping that he it is who is about to redeem Israel and also with all these things this third day is passing to-day since these things happened.”

   Literal Meaning: “we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.” The words show that the Lord Jesus in the hearts of the disciples was the Messiah who would redeem the people of Israel from the Roman Empire. What they hoped was the Messiah who would reign and have the glory right now instead of the Messiah who would suffer the pain and death and then have the glory.

 

Luke. 24:22 “Yes and certain women of our company who arrived at the tomb early astonished us.

   YLT: “`And certain women of ours also astonished us coming early to the tomb ”

 

Luke. 24:23 “When they did not find His body they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.

   YLT: “and not having found his body they came saying also to have seen an apparition of messengers who say he is alive ”

 

Luke. 24:24 “And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.’”

   YLT: “and certain of those with us went away unto the tomb and found as even the women said and him they saw not.’”

   Literal Meaning: “certain of those” refer to Peter and John (See John. 20:3).

 

Luke. 24:25 “Then He said to them O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

   YLT: “And he said unto them `O inconsiderate and slow in heart to believe on all that the prophets spake!”

   Meaning of Words: “foolish”: slow in understanding.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If we are “foolish” in spiritual things the reason must be that our hearts are “slow” to believe. 

2) If one’s heart is slow to believe his eyes will be restrained and he will be sad (v.16-17).

 

Luke. 24:26 “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?’”

   YLT: “Was it not behoving the Christ these things to suffer and to enter into his glory?’”

   Literal Meaning: “and to enter into His glory” It obviously shows that after the Lord rose and met Mary Magdalene He ascended to God the Father (See John. 20:17).

“His” indicates that that glory is suitable to Him and only Him is worthy of that glory (See Pill. 2:6-11).

  “Ought not?” It means that: since Christ suffered the death according to the Bible and then He rose and entered into His glory according to the Bible isn’t it reasonable?

   Enlightenment in the Word: Since Christ suffered the death first and then entered into the glory we believers should suffer tribulations first (See 2Tim. 3:12; Acts. 14:22) and then shall have the glory (See Rom. 8:17; 2Cor. 4:17-18).

 

Luke. 24:27 “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

   YLT: “and having begun from Moses and from all the prophets he was expounding to them in all the Writings the things about himself.”

   Literal Meaning: “beginning at Moses and all the Prophets” “Moses” denotes the five Books of Moses. “All the Prophets” denotes the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets.

  “All the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” It refers to all the chapters concern the Messiah in the whole Old Testament.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Old Testament all typify and predict Christ and therefore we have to read the Old Testament if we want to know Christ.

2) This verse shows us that: a) Christ is the central point of the Bible; b) the key to read the Bible is to find Christ in the Bible; c) one has to meet the rising Christ and then his understanding would be opened so that he could understand the Bible.

3) When we search the Scriptures we should hold the attitude that we come to the Lord in order to have life eternal (See John. 5:39-40) thus it would profit us.

 

Luke. 24:28 “Then they drew near to the village where they were going and He indicated that He would have gone farther.

   YLT: “And they came nigh to the village whither they were going and he made an appearance of going on further ”

   Literal Meaning: “the village where they were going” refers to Emmaus (See v.13).

  “And He indicated that He would have gone farther.” The Lord gave them a chance to invite Him to go with them on purpose.

   Enlightenment in the Word: Though the Lord is willing to bestow grace He would never force men to receive the grace. If we are self-content with spiritual pursuit probably we can’t receive the spiritual grace fully (See 2Kings. 13:14-19; Pill. 3:12-14).

 

Luke. 24:29 “But they constrained Him saying Abide with us for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. And He went in to stay with them.

   YLT: “and they constrained him saying `Remain with us for it is toward evening ’ and the day did decline and he went in to remain with them.”

   Literal Meaning: “abide with us” The word shows that they honored the one who knew the Bible well and they hoped to get more instructions from Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word: if men haven’t “constrained” Him He may pass them and go farther (See v.28). However if men “constrain” Him urgently how willing the Lord is to abide with men.

 

Luke. 24:30 “Now it came to pass as He sat at the table with them that He took bread blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

   YLT: “And it came to pass in his reclining (at meat) with them having taken the bread he blessed and having broken he was giving to them ”

   Literal Meaning: “that He took bread blessed and broke it and gave it…” These behaviors should be done by the householder. The Lord Jesus here seemed to turn to be the master from the guest. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord stays and abides with men (See v.29). He wouldn’t like to be the guest at all times and He is the master. It is not that we receive the Lord but that the Lord provides us.

2) He whoever receives Him will be given His abundant provision contrarily.

 

Luke. 24:31 “Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

   YLT: “and their eyes were opened and they recognized him and he became unseen by them.”

   Literal Meaning: “their eyes were opened” It means that their thoughts were shone by light (See 2Cor. 4:4).

  “And He vanished from their sight.” It indicates that He suddenly vanished from the fleshly sight. This shows that the body after resurrection is not restrained by the natural principle and it surpasses time and space.

   Spiritual Meaning: “And He vanished from their sight” It means that they lost the obvious presence however the Lord was still with them secretly.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Understanding the Bible is not equal to knowing Christ. It is of no value for one to have the knowledge of the Bible only and not know Christ.

2) Knowledge is different from revelation. Even though believers understand the knowledge of Christ they may lack the revelation and therefore they still do not know Christ.

3) Without the Bible there won’t be Christianity. However without revelation we do not know Christ personally. Concerning the Lord what’s the most important is to know Him from the inner heart.

 

Luke. 24:32 “And they said to one another Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’”

   YLT: “And they said one to another `Was not our heart burning within us as he was speaking to us in the way and as he was opening up to us the Writings?’”

   Meaning of Words: “burn”: set on fire kindle.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If believers indeed meet the Lord in the Spirit and hear that “He talked with them” their heart must “burn” with them.

2) There are two kinds of knowledge of believers to Christ: a) the knowledge because the Bible was opened; b) the knowledge because their eyes were opened (v.31).

 

Luke. 24:33 “So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together

   YLT: “And they having risen up the same hour turned back to Jerusalem and found gathered together the eleven and those with them ”

   Literal Meaning: “returned to JerusalemJerusalem is the place in which the rising Savior asked His disciples to tarry before the Pentecost (See v.49; Acts. 1:4).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Concerning the one who meets the Lord his spiritual state will turn for the better------“rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem”.

2) The spiritual revival would bring believers back to the church (“returned to Jerusalem”) so that they would restore the sweet fellowship with the saints.

 

Luke. 24:34 “saying The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon!’”

   YLT: “saying `The Lord was raised indeed and was seen by Simon;’”

   Literal Meaning: “and has appeared to Simon” it shows that the Lord once appeared to Peter alone after His resurrection (See 1Cor. 15:5).

 

Luke. 24:35 “And they told about the things that had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

   YLT: “and they were telling the things in the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread ”

 

Luke. 24:36 “Now as they said these things Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them and said to them Peace to you.’”

   YLT: “and as they are speaking these things Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and saith to them ‘Peace to you;’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The true peace springs from the experience of the Lord’s presence in the Spirit.

2) If believers lack peace it is not the real intention of the Lord and it must be caused by themselves.

 

Luke. 24:37 “But they were terrified and frightened and supposed they had seen a spirit.

   YLT: “and being amazed and becoming affrighted they were thinking themselves to see a spirit.”

   Meaning of Words: “spirit”: breath.

   Literal Meaning: “and supposed they had seen a spirit” It indicates that they saw a ghost.

 

Luke. 24:38 “And He said to them Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?

   YLT: “And he said to them `Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do reasonings come up in your hearts?”

   Meaning of Words: “trouble”: stir agitate panic worry; “doubt”: consideration dispute debate.

 

Luke. 24:39 “Behold My hands and My feet that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.’”

   YLT: “see my hands and my feet that I am he; handle me and see because a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me having.’”

   Literal Meaning: “behold My hands and My feet” Most probably there was the mark of the nails remaining in His hands and feet (See John. 20:25-28). It is the mark of His love towards us.

  “As you see I have” refers to the body that the Lord puts on after His resurrection.

 

Luke. 24:40 “When He had said this He showed them His hands and His feet.

   YLT: “And having said this he shewed to them the hands and the feet ”

 

Luke. 24:41 “But while they still did not believe for joy and marveled He said to them Have you any food here?’”

   YLT: “and while they are not believing from the joy and wondering he said to them `Have ye anything here to eat?’”

   Enlightenment in the Word: Many times the Lord also asks us: “Have you any food here?” O the Lord is searching in order to see whether He could find something from us to satisfy Him.

 

Luke. 24:42 “So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.

   YLT: “and they gave to him part of a broiled fish and of an honeycomb ”

   Enlightenment in the Word: what we could dedicate to the Lord is only “a piece of broiled fish” however the Lord is willing to receive it with glad (See v.43).

 

 Luke. 24:43 “And He took it and ate in their presence.

   YLT: “and having taken he did eat before them ”

   Literal Meaning: the spiritual body after resurrection does not need food and drink however the spiritual body could eat and drink as the fleshly body when it is necessary. The spiritual angels could also eat and drink (See Gen. 18:7).

 

Luke. 24:44 “Then He said to them These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’”

   YLT: “and he said to them `These [are] the words that I spake unto you being yet with you that it behoveth to be fulfilled all the things that are written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms about me.’”

   Literal Meaning: the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” refers to the whole Old Testament. At that time the Hebrew Old Testament was divided into three parts: the Law the Prophets and the sacred scrolls. The Psalms were the first scroll of the sacred scrolls and therefore the Jews usually used the Psalms to represent the third part.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord’s revelation and guidance base on the words that He had said.

2) The whole Old Testament revealed Christ and He is the center and content of the Old Testament.

 

Luke. 24:45 “And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

   YLT: “Then opened he up their understanding to understand the Writings ”

   Meaning of Words: “open”: open thoroughly expound; “understanding”: mind.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If one wants to know spiritual things he should have the spiritual mind (“understanding’). Without the spiritual understanding one cannot comprehend spiritual things.

2) If believers want to comprehend the Bible our “understanding” should be opened by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (See Eph. 1:18).

3) If one whose understanding has not been opened reads the Bible he only comprehends the Bible by his brain and he does not really understand the Bible.

4) Concerning all the books in the world men seek to “understand” them at first and then they could believe them. Only the Bible should be “understood” by one who has established the intimate relationship with the Lord by “faith” at first (See 1Tim. 4:3b).

 

Luke. 24:46 “Then He 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

   YLT: “and he said to them `Thus it hath been written and thus it was behoving the Christ to suffer and to rise out of the dead the third day ”

   Literal Meaning: though the Old Testament did not directly pronounce Christ’s “suffering” and “rising from the dead” many verses described His suffering implicitly (e.g. Ps. 23; Is. 53) and other verses implied that He would rise from the dead the third day (e.g. Jonah. 1:17; See Matt. 12:40; Hos. 6:2; Ps. 16:10).

 

Luke. 24:47 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem.

   YLT: “and reformation and remission of sins to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations beginning from Jerusalem:”

   Literal Meaning: to all nations beginning at Jerusalem” To the Jews first and also to the Gentiles; it is the order and it becomes the principle by which the apostles preach the glad tidings (See Rom. 1:16).

  This verse reveals the main points of preaching:

a) Preach in the name of the Lord: only exalt Christ and do not exalt any spiritual giant or religious groups.

b) Preach repentance and remission of sins: “repentance” refers to the behavior that sinners should have (See 3:3); “remission of sins” refers to God’s reaction towards sinners who repent. Repentance is the requirement for remission of sins and remission of sins is the result of repentance. 

c) To all nations beginning at Jerusalem: on one hand one should preach to those who are nigh and on the other the whole world is the area of preaching.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The great preachers gather listeners easily and therefore they yield twice the result with half the effort. However there is a crisis that many people come for the name of great preachers (instead of the name of the Lord) and consequently in the evangelistic meeting there are many people making a commitment for Jesus and few of them stay in the church.

2) Concerning the preaching of the glad tidings it is true that believers should have a sense of duty of “the whole world” however we should not reach for what is beyond our grasp. We should preach from our own family members relatives and friends and classmates.

 

Luke. 24:48 “And you are witnesses of these things.

   YLT: “and ye ye are witnesses of these things.”

   Meaning of Words: “witness”: martyr.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord not only wants believers to bear witness to Him with our mouths but also asks us to be His witness. It is the best witness to manifest the salvation of Christ and the life of resurrection by life (See Pill. 1:27).

2) The witness of believers’ walking is better than the witness of words.

3) One as a witness of God has to manifest the life of God by living out the word of God. The witness without the word of God deviates from the will of God. The witness that lacks the life of God does not have the content of witness.

 

Luke. 24:49 “Behold I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.’”

   YLT: “`And lo I do send the promise of my Father upon you but ye abide ye in the city of Jerusalem till ye be clothed with power from on high.’”

   Meaning of Words: “upon”: above; “in the city”: sit in the city stay in the city.

   Literal Meaning: “I send the Promise of My Father upon you” “The Promise of My Father” refers to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit (See Joel. 2:28-29) and it is also called the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:5). It is different from the indwelling Spirit (See John. 20:22).

  “You are endued with power from on high.” The indwelling Spirit enables us to receive the life of God. However the Spirit’s sending upon (pouring out) enables us to receive power (See Acts. 1:8).

  This verse reveals us that the power of preaching is from the Holy Spirit and He is: a) what the Lord has given (“I send…”); b) what the Father has promised; c) from on high; d) received by wait.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord has given believers two great gifts: a) the guidance of the Bible (See v.45); b) the power of the Holy Spirit.

2) The time that we wait for God quietly should never be in vain forever. One contrarily loses time if he is unwilling to wait for God and acts presumptuously.

 

Luke. 24:50 “And He led them out as far as Bethany and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

   YLT: “And he led them forth without unto Bethany and having lifted up his hands he did bless them ”

   The Background: In the time of the Old Testament the gesture of priest who blessed the people was to lift up his hands (See Lev. 9:22; Num. 6:22-27).

   Literal Meaning: “as far as Bethany” denotes the mount called Olivet (See Acts. 1:12).

 

Luke. 24:51 “Now it came to pass while He blessed them that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

   YLT: “and it came to pass in his blessing them he was parted from them and was borne up to the heaven;”

   Literal Meaning: “was carried up into heaven” It indicates that He was taken up before the eyes of the masses (See Acts. 1:9) and it is different His previous sudden disappearance (See v.31). From the Lord’s resurrection to His being taken up formally the Lord had stayed on the earth for forty days (See Acts. 1:3).

 

Luke. 24:52 “And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy

   YLT: “and they having bowed before him did turn back to Jerusalem with great joy ”

   Enlightenment in the Word: Seeing Christ who had been taken up in the Spirit (See v.51) would make us be “with great joy”.

 

Luke. 24:53 “and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

   YLT: “and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”

   Literal Meaning: in the period of time closely after the day when the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven the disciples always gathered together in the temple (See Acts. 2:46; 3:1; 5:21 42). There were many rooms in the temple that would be used by the disciples for the meeting.

  The Gospels of Luke begins with the burning of incense and prayer “in the temple” (See 1:8-10) and ends with the praise of God “in the temple”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What believers should seek is that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the LORD And to inquire in His temple (Ps. 27:4).

2) God saves us in order to let us praise Him. Praising and blessing God should be the reaction that everyone who has received grace should have and the praising and blessing should never stop in the eternal life.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Power of the Resurrection------“open”

I. Open the door of the tomb: the stone was rolled away (v.2).

II. Open the Bible: understand the word of God objectively (v.27 32).

III. Open the dwelling place: ask the Lord to abide with them (v.29).

IV. Open the eyes of hearts: they knew the Lord (v.31).

V. Open the mouths: bear witness to the Lord (v.35).

VI. Open the understanding: understand the word of God subjectively (v.45).

VII. Open the door of heaven: bring down the power from on high (v.49).

 

The Difficulties and Weakness of Men

I. Being perplexed (v.4).

II. Not believing (v.11).

III. Marveling (v.12).

IV. Their eyes were restrained and they did not know Him (v.16).

V. Astonishing (v.22).

VI. Being slow (v.25).

 

The Changes of Minds of the Two Disciples Who Went to A Village Called Emmaus

I. Being sad (v.13-18).

II. Being perplexed (v.19-25).

III. Burning (v.26-32).

IV. Being with joy (v.33-43).

 

The Conditions of One’s Eyes’ Being Opened (v.31)

I. Go with the Lord (v.15).

II. Have communion with the Lord (v.17-19).

III. The Bible is opened to him by the Lord (v.25-27).

IV. Abide with the Lord (v.29).

V. Dedicate oneself to the Lord and let Him break him (v.30).

 

The Spiritual Body after Resurrection

I. He comes and goes suddenly (v.15 31)------He is both visible and hidden and comes and goes at will.

II. He has flesh and bones (v.39)------He has the body and He is not unreal.

III. He has hands and feet (v.40)------He could be recognized and act.

IV. He is able to eat and drink (v.42)------He could have communion with men and have enjoyment together.

 

The Sadness and Joy of the Disciples

I. They were sad because they did not know the deeds of the Lord (v.16-17).

II. They were terrified and frightened because they did not know the Lord Himself (v.37-38).

III. They rejoiced because they verified the Lord’s resurrection and appearing (v.41).

IV. They were with great joy because they saw the Lord being carried up into heaven (v.52).

 

The Example of Standard of Exegesis

I. The best teacher------the Lord Himself (v.25-27).

II. The best book------the Bible (v.27).

III. The best subject------Christ (v.27 44).

IV. The best way------open their understanding (v.45).

 

Seeing the Effort of Christ’s Resurrection

I. Peace to men------peace to you (v.36).

II. Glory to God------praise and bless God (v.53).

 

The Foundations of the Faith of Christianity

I. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is absolutely true (v.36-43).

II. The salvation of the cross is the plan that God has established (v.44-46).

III. Believers’ experience in the Spirit is the reality of witness (v.47-49).

 

The Aim that the Rising Lord Appeared to the Disciples

I. Open the understanding of the disciples so that they could understand the Bible (v.45).

II. Bear witness to the disciples that the Bible is true and faithful (v.46).

III. Entrust the disciples the commission that they should preach to all nations (v.47-48).

IV. Show to the disciples that the key to preach is waiting for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit (v.49).

 

How to Preach Well

I. Preachers should understand the Bible and then could preach the message (v.45).

II. Preachers should seize the central message of the Bible (v.46).

III. Preach in the name of the Lord (v.47a)------exalt the name of the Lord and join to the Lord.

IV. The repentance and remission of sins should be preached (v.47b)------make men know their own sins and God’s salvation.

V. Beginning from Jerusalem (v.47b)------preach from those who are nigh.

VI. To all nations (v.47c)------the whole world is the area of preaching.

VII. Preachers must experience and live out the salvation by themselves (v.48)------they should walk in concert with the witness of words.

VIII. Concerning preaching they have to wait and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit (v.49).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren