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Luke Chapter
Twenty-four
Luke 24
But the God of our Lord Jesus Christ
the Father of
glory
had prepared everything for the burial of His Son
who had glorified Him
by giving Himself up to death. He is with the rich in His death. Joseph
a just
man
who had not consented to the sin of his people
lays the Lord's body in a
tomb that had never yet been used. It was the preparation before the sabbath;
but the sabbath was near. At the time of His death the women-faithful (though
ignorant) to their affection for Him while living-see where the body is laid
and go to prepare all that was needed for its embalming. Luke only speaks in
general terms of these women: we shall therefore enter on the details
elsewhere
following our Gospel as it presents itself. The women (chap. 24)
come
find the stone rolled away
and the sepulchre no longer containing the
body of Him whom they had loved. While perplexed at this
they see two angels
near them
who ask why they came to seek the living among the dead
and remind
them of the plain words which Jesus had spoken to them in Galilee. They go and
tell these things to all the disciples
who cannot believe their account; but
Peter runs to the sepulchre
sees everything in order
and departs
wondering
at that which had come to pass. In all this there was no faith in the words of
Jesus
nor in that which the scriptures had spoken. In the journey to Emmaus
the Lord connects the scriptures with all that happened to Himself
shewing to
their minds still lingering round the thought of an earthly kingdom
that
according to these scriptures God's revealed counsels
the Christ ought to
suffer and enter into His glory
a rejected and heavenly Christ. He awakens
that ardent attention which the heart feels whenever it is touched. He then reveals
Himself in breaking bread-the sign of His death: not that this was the
Eucharist
but this particular act was linked with that event. Then their eyes
were opened
and He disappears. It was the true Jesus; but in resurrection.
Here He Himself explained all that the scriptures had spoken
and presented
Himself in life with the symbol of His death. The two disciples return to
Jerusalem.
The Lord had already shewn Himself to Simon-an appearance
of which we
have no details. Paul also mentions it as the first with reference to the
apostles. While the two disciples related that which had happened to them
Jesus Himself stood in their midst. But their minds were not yet formed to this
truth
and His presence alarms them. They cannot realise the idea of the resurrection
of the body. The Lord uses their confusion (very natural
humanly speaking) for
our blessing
by giving them the most sensible proofs that it was Himself
risen; but Himself
body and soul
the same as before His death. He bids them
touch Him
and He eats before their eyes. [1] It was indeed Himself.
An important thing remained-the basis of true faith: the
words of Christ
and the testimony of scripture. This He sets before them. But
two things were yet required. First
they needed capacity to understand the
word. He opens their understanding therefore
that they might understand the
scriptures
and establishes them as witnesses that were not only able to say
"Thus
it is
for we have seen it"; but "Thus it must needs have been
for
so hath God said in his word"; and the testimony of Christ Himself was
fulfilled in His resurrection.
But now grace was to be preached-Jesus rejected by the
Jews
slain and risen again for the salvation of souls
having made peace
and
bestowing life according to the power of resurrection
the work which cleansed
from sin being accomplished
and pardon already granted in thus bestowing it.
Grace was to be preached among all nations
that is to say
repentance and
pardon to sinners; beginning at that place
with which indeed the patient grace
of God still owned a link
through the intercession of Jesus
but which could
only be reached by sovereign grace
and in which sin the most aggravated
rendered pardon the most necessary
by a testimony which
coming from heaven
must deal with Jerusalem as it dealt with all. They were to preach repentance
and remission of sins to all nations
beginning at Jerusalem. The Jew
a child
of wrath
even as others
must come in on the same ground The testimony had a
higher source
although it was said "to the Jew first."
But
secondly
something more therefore was needed for
the accomplishment of this mission
that is
power. They were to tarry at
Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Jesus would send the
Holy Ghost whom He had promised
of whom the prophets also had spoken.
While blessing His disciples
heaven and heavenly grace characterising
His relationship with them
Jesus was parted from them
and carried up into
heaven; and they returned to Jerusalem with joy.
It will have been remarked that the narrative of Luke is
very general here
and contains the great principles on which the doctrines and
proofs of the resurrection are founded; the unbelief of the natural heart so
graphically painted in the most simple and touching accounts; the disciples'
attachment to their own hopes of the kingdom
and the difficulty with which the
doctrine of the word took possession of their hearts
although
in proportion
to their realisation
their hearts opened to it with joy; the Person of Jesus
risen
still a man
the gracious One they knew; the doctrine of the word; the
understanding of the word bestowed; the power of the Holy Ghost given-all that
belonged to the truth and to the eternal order of things made manifest.
Nevertheless
Jerusalem was still recognised as the first object of grace on
earth according to God's dispensations towards her; yet she was not
even as a
place
the point of contact and connection between Jesus and His disciples. He
does not bless them from Jerusalem
although
in the dealings of God with the
earth
they were to tarry there for the gift of the Holy Ghost; for themselves
and their relationship with Him He leads them out to Bethany. From thence He
had set out to present Himself as King to Jerusalem. It was there that the
resurrection of Lazarus took place; therethat the family
which present the
character of the remnant-attached to His Person
now rejected
with better hopes-in
the most striking manner received Jesus. It was thither He retired when His
testimony to the Jews was ended
that His heart might rest for a few moments
among those whom He loved
who
through grace
loved Him. It was there that He
established the link (as to circumstances) between the remnant attached to His
Person and heaven. From thence He ascends.
Jerusalem is but the public starting-point of their
ministry
as it had been the last scene of His witness. For themselves it was
Bethany and heaven which were connected in the Person of Jesus. From thence was
the testimony to come for Jerusalem herself. This is the more striking when we
compare it with Matthew. There He goes to Galilee
the place of association
with the Jewish remnant
and there is no ascension
and the mission is
exclusively to the nations. It is a carrying out to them
what was then
confined to the Jews and forbidden to be carried further.
NOTE.-In the text I have strictly followed the passage; I
add some developments here
connecting this Gospel with the others.
There are two distinct parts in the sufferings of Christ:
1st
that which He suffered from the efforts of Satan-as man in conflict with
the power of the enemy who has dominion over death
but with the sense of what
it was from God in view
-and this in communion with His Father
presenting His
requests to Him; and 2ndly
that which He suffered to accomplish expiation for
sin
when actually bearing our sins
made sin for us
drinking the cup which
the will of His Father had given Him to drink.
When speaking on the Gospel of John
I shall enter more
on the character of the temptations; but I would notice here
that at the
commencement of His public life the tempter endeavoured to turn Jesus aside by
setting before Him the attractiveness of all that which
as privilege
belonged
to Him
all that might be agreeable to Christ as man
as to which His own will
might work. He was defeated by the perfect obedience of Christ. He would have
Christ
being Son
go out of the place He had taken as servant. Blessed be God
he failed. Christ by simple obedience bound the strong man as to this life
and
then returning in the power of the Spirit into Galilee spoiled his goods.
Putting away sin and bearing our sins was another matter. Satan then departed from
Him for a season. In Gethsemane he returns
using the fear of death to throw
anguish into the heart of the Lord. And He must needs go through death; and
death was not only Satan's power but God's judgment on man
if man was to be
delivered from it
for it was man's portion; and He alone
by going down into
it
could break its chains. He had become man
that man might be delivered and
even glorified. The distress of His soul was complete. "My soul is
exceeding sorrowful
even unto death." Thus His soul was that which the
soul of a man ought to be in the presence of death
when Satan puts forth all
his power in it
with the cup of God's judgment as yet unemptied in it: only He
was perfect in it; it was a part of His perfection put to the test in all that
was possible to man. But with tears and supplications He makes His request to
Him who had power to save Him from death. For the moment
His agony increases:
presenting it to God makes it more acute. This is the case in our own little
conflicts. But thus the thing is settled according to perfection before God.
His soul enters into it with God; He prays more fervently. It is now evident
that this cup-which He puts before His Father's eyes when Satan presents it to
Him as the power of death in His soul-must be drunk. As obedience to His
Father
He takes it in peace. To drink it is but perfect obedience
instead of
being the power of Satan. But it must be drunk in reality; and upon the cross
Jesus
the Saviour of our souls
enters into the second phase of His sufferings.
He goes under death as the judgment of God
the separation of the soul from the
light of His countenance. All that a soul which enjoyed nothing except
communion with God could suffer in being deprived of it
the Lord suffered
according to the perfect measure of the communion which was interrupted. Yet He
gave glory to God-"But thou art holy
O thou that inhabitest the praises
of Israel." The cup-for I pass over the outrages and insults of men: we
may spare them-the cup was drunk. Who can tell the horrors of that suffering?
The true pains of death
understood as God understands it
felt-according to
the value of His presence-divinely
as by a man who depended on that presence
as man. But all is accomplished; and that which God required in respect to sin
is done-exhausted
and He is glorified as to it: so that He has only to bless
whosoever comes to Him through a Christ who is alive and was dead
and who
lives for ever a man
for ever before God.
The sufferings of Christ in His body (real as they were)
the insults and upbraidings of men
were but the preface of His affliction
which
by depriving Him as man of all consolation
left Him wholly in the place
of judgment as made sin
to His sufferings [2] in connection with the judgment of sin
when
the God who would have been His full comfort was
as forsaking Him
the source
of sorrow which left all the rest as unfelt and forgotten.
[1]
Nothing can be more touching than the way in which He cultivates their
confidence as that One they had known
the man
still a true man (though with a
spiritual body) as He had been before! Handle me and see that it is I myself.
Blessed be God
for ever a man
the same who has been known in living love in
the midst of our weakness.
[2]
Psalm 22 is His appeal to God from the violence and wickedness of man to find
Himself there forsaken and only sin in His sight
but perfect there. Christ
suffered all from man-hostility
unrighteousness
desertion
denial
betrayal
and then
as trusting in god
forsaking. But what a spectacle
the one
righteous Man who did put His trust in Him to have to declare
at the end of
His life
openly to all
He was forsaken of God!
── John Darby《Synopsis of Luke》
Luke 24
Chapter Contents
The resurrection of Christ. (1-12) He appears to two
disciples on the way to Emmaus. (13-27) And makes himself known to them.
(28-35) Christ appears to the other disciples. (36-49) His ascension. (50-53)
Commentary on Luke 24:1-12
(Read Luke 24:1-12)
See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ
after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone
rolled away
and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about
that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather
to find their Master in his grave-clothes
than angels in their shining
garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by
his own power. These angels from heaven bring not any new gospel
but remind
the women of Christ's words
and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder
that these disciples
who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true
Messiah
who had been so often told that he must die
and rise again
and then
enter into his glory
who had seen him more than once raise the dead
yet
should be so backward to believe his raising himself. But all our mistakes in
religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken.
Peter now ran to the sepulchre
who so lately ran from his Master. He was
amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us
which would be
plain and profitable
if we rightly understood the words of Christ.
Commentary on Luke 24:13-27
(Read Luke 24:13-27)
This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to
Emmaus
happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the
disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they
may improve one another's knowledge
refresh one another's memory
and stir up
each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in
work of that kind
he will come to them
and make a third. Those who seek
Christ
shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after
him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have.
No matter how it was
but so it was
they did not know him; he so ordering it
that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are
often sad and sorrowful
even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the
weakness of their faith
they cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though
Christ is entered into his state of exaltation
yet he notices the sorrows of
his disciples
and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in
Jerusalem
that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have
the knowledge of Christ crucified
should seek to spread that knowledge. Our
Lord Jesus reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of
the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as far as they are
made known in the Scriptures
we should not be subject to the perplexities we
often entangle ourselves in. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were
really the appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to
which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses
the first
inspired writer of the Old Testament
Jesus expounded to them the things
concerning himself. There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures
concerning Christ
which it is of great advantage to put together. We cannot go
far in any part
but we meet with something that has reference to Christ
some
prophecy
some promise
some prayer
some type or other. A golden thread of
gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. Christ is the
best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection
he led people to
know the mystery concerning himself
not by advancing new notions
but by
showing how the Scripture was fulfilled
and turning them to the earnest study
of it.
Commentary on Luke 24:28-35
(Read Luke 24:28-35)
If we would have Christ dwell with us
we must be earnest
with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with
him
cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread
and blessed it
and
brake
and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection
with the same manner
perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave
a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself
known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets
them at his table
in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in
breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of
their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world
but when
we enter heaven
we shall see him for ever. They had found the preaching
powerful
even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of
Christ
will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most
good
which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty
of those to whom he has shown himself
to let others know what he has done for
their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their
experiences
and tell them to each other.
Commentary on Luke 24:36-49
(Read Luke 24:36-49)
Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner
assuring the
disciples of his peace
though they had so lately forsaken him
and promising
spiritual peace with every blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet
our minds
rise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which
rise in our hearts at any time
are known to the Lord Jesus
and are
displeasing to him. He spake with them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing
had passed but what was foretold by the prophets
and necessary for the
salvation of sinners. And now all men should be taught the nature and necessity
of repentance
in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings
were to be sought for
by faith in the name of Jesus. Christ by his Spirit
works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have their understandings
opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ
there needs no more than
to be made to understand the Scriptures.
Commentary on Luke 24:50-53
(Read Luke 24:50-53)
Christ ascended from Bethany
near the Mount of Olives.
There was the garden in which his sufferings began; there he was in his agony.
Those that would go to heaven
must ascend thither from the house of sufferings
and sorrows. The disciples did not see him rise out of the grave; his
resurrection could be proved by their seeing him alive afterwards: but they saw
him ascend into heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of his ascension.
He lifted up his hands
and blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure
but in love
he left a blessing behind him. As he arose
so he ascended
by his
own power. They worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from
them fresh acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The glory
of Christ is the joy of all true believers
even while they are here in this
world. While waiting for God's promises
we must go forth to meet them with our
praises. And nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost.
Fears are silenced
sorrows sweetened and allayed
and hopes kept up. And this
is the ground of a Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; yea
the
Father's throne is the throne of grace to us
because it is also the throne of
our Mediator
Jesus Christ. Let us rely on his promises
and plead them. Let us
attend his ordinances
praise and bless God for his mercies
set our affections
on things above
and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness.
Amen. Even so
Lord Jesus
come quickly.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Luke》
Luke 24
Verse 4
[4] And
it came to pass
as they were much perplexed thereabout
behold
two men stood
by them in shining garments:
Behold two —
Angels in the form of men. Mary had seen them a little before. They had
disappeared on these women's coming to the sepulchre
but now appeared again.
St. Matthew and Mark mention only one of them
appearing like a young man.
Verse 6
[6] He is not here
but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was
yet in Galilee
Remember how he spake to you
saying
The Son
of man must be delivered — This is only a repetition of the words
which our Lord had spoken to them before his passion But it is observable
he
never styles himself the Son of man after his resurrection.
Verse 13
[13] And
behold
two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus
which was
from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Verse 21
[21] But
we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside
all this
to day is the third day since these things were done.
To-day is the third day — The day he should have risen again
if at all.
Verse 25
[25] Then he said unto them
O fools
and slow of heart to believe all that the
prophets have spoken:
O foolish —
Not understanding the designs and works of God: And slow of heart - Unready to
believe what the prophets have so largely spoken.
Verse 26
[26]
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things
and to enter into his glory?
Ought not Christ — If
he would redeem man
and fulfil the prophecies concerning him
to have suffered
these things? - These very sufferings which occasion your doubts
are the
proofs of his being the Messiah.
And to enter into his glory — Which could be done no other way.
Verse 28
[28] And
they drew nigh unto the village
whither they went: and he made as though he
would have gone further.
He made as though he would go farther — Walking forward
as if he was going on; and he would have done it
had
they not pressed him to stay.
Verse 29
[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 tarry with them.
They constrained him — By their importunate entreaties.
Verse 30
[30] And
it came to pass
as he sat at meat with them
he took bread
and blessed it
and brake
and gave to them.
He took the bread
and blessed
and brake — Just in the same manner as when ho instituted his last supper.
Verse 31
[31] And
their eyes were opened
and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Their eyes were opened — That is
the supernatural cloud was removed: And he vanished - Went away
insensibly.
Verse 32
[32] And
they said one to another
Did not our heart burn within us
while he talked
with us by the way
and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Did not our heart burn within us — Did not we feel an unusual warmth of love! Was not our heart burning
etc.
Verse 33
[33] And
they rose up the same hour
and returned to Jerusalem
and found the eleven
gathered together
and them that were with them
The same hour —
Late as it was.
Verse 34
[34]
Saying
The Lord is risen indeed
and hath appeared to Simon.
The Lord hath appeared to Simon — Before he was seen of the twelve apostles
1 Corinthians 15:5. He had
in his wonderful
condescension and grace
taken an opportunity on the former part of that day
(though where
or in what manner
is not recorded) to show himself to Peter
that he might early relieve his distresses and fears
on account of having so
shamefully denied his Master.
Verse 35
[35] And
they told what things were done in the way
and how he was known of them in
breaking of bread.
In the breaking of bread — The Lord's Supper.
Verse 36
[36] And
as they thus spake
Jesus himself stood in the midst of them
and saith unto
them
Peace be unto you.
Jesus stood in the midst of them — It was just as easy to his Divine power to open a door undiscernibly
as
it was to come in at a door opened by some other hand. Mark 16:14
19; John 20:19.
Verse 40
[40] And
when he had thus spoken
he shewed them his hands and his feet.
He showed them his hands and his feet — That they might either see or feel the prints of the nails.
Verse 41
[41] And
while they yet believed not for joy
and wondered
he said unto them
Have ye
here any meat?
While they believed not for joy — They did in some sense believe: otherwise they would not have rejoiced.
But their excess of joy prevented a clear
rational belief.
Verse 43
[43] And
he took it
and did eat before them.
He took it and ate before them — Not that he had any need of food; but to give them still farther
evidence.
Verse 44
[44] And
he said unto them
These are the words which I spake unto you
while I was yet
with you
that all things must be fulfilled
which were written in the law of
Moses
and in the prophets
and in the psalms
concerning me.
And he said — On
the day of his ascension.
In the law
and the prophets
and the psalms — The prophecies as well as types
relating to the Messiah
are contained
either in the books of Moses (usually called the law) in the Psalms
or in the
writings of the prophets; little being said directly concerning him in the
historical books.
Verse 45
[45] Then
opened he their understanding
that they might understand the scriptures
Then opened he their understanding
to understand
the Scriptures — He had explained them before to the two as
they went to Emmaus. But still they Understood them not
till he took off the
veil from their hearts
by the illumination of his Spirit.
Verse 47
[47] And
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations
beginning at Jerusalem.
Beginning at Jerusalem — This was appointed most graciously and wisely: graciously
as it
encouraged the
greatest sinners to repent
when they saw that even the
murderers of Christ were not excepted from mercy: and wisely
as hereby
Christianity was more abundantly attested; the facts being published first on
the very spot where they happened.
Verse 49
[49] And
behold
I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem
until ye be endued with power from on high.
Behold I send the promise — Emphatically so called; the Holy Ghost.
Verse 50
[50] And
he led them out as far as to Bethany
and he lifted up his hands
and blessed
them.
He led them out as far as Bethany — Not the town
but the district: to the mount of Olives
Acts 1:12
which stood within the boundaries of
Bethany.
Verse 51
[51] And
it came to pass
while he blessed them
he was parted from them
and carried up
into heaven.
And while he was blessing them
he was parted
from them — It was much more proper that our Lord
should ascend into heaven
than that he should rise from the dead
in the sight
of the apostles. For his resurrection was proved when they saw him alive after
his passion: but they could not see him in heaven while they continued on
earth.
── John ‘Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Luke》
Chapter 24. Enter Glory
Jesus Walks
with Them
Expound the Scriptures
I. Jesus Rises
in Glory
II. Jesus
Appears in Glory
III. Jesus
Ascends in Glory
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》