Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)

Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)

LUKE 24

Jesus Has Risen

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” 8 Then they remembered his words.

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

On the Road to Emmaus

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Application Notes

24:1-9 The two angels (appearing as “two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning”) asked the women why they were looking in a tomb for someone who was alive. The women either had forgotten or did not real­ize the meaning of Jesus' promise to rise again. Some people today seem to be looking for God among the dead. They have a lifeless faith and go to dead churches. They study the Bible as a chore and go to church as if going to a memorial service. But Jesus is not among the dead—he lives! He reigns in heaven and in the hearts of Christians, and he is the head of his church. Where do you look for Jesus? Do you expect him to be active in the world and in the church? Look for signs of his power—they are all around you. 

24:1 The women brought spices to the tomb to properly prepare Jesus' body for burial. They had gone home and kept the Sabbath as the law required, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, before gathering up their spices and perfumes and returning to the tomb. 

24:6-7 The angels reminded the women that Jesus had accurately predicted all that had happened to him (9:22, 44; 18:31-33). 

24:6-7 The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it the church is built; without it, the church would not exist today. Jesus' resurrection is unique. Many religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about paradise and the afterlife, and various holy scriptures. Only Christianity has a God who became human, literally died for his people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule his church forever. 

     Why is the Resurrection so important? (1) Because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the kingdom of heaven has broken into earth's history. Our world is now headed for redemption, not disaster. God's mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Jesus' second coming. (2) Because of the Resurrection, we know that death has been conquered and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Jesus. (3) The Resurrection gives authority to the church's witness in the world. Look at the early evangelistic ser­mons in the book of Acts: The apostles' most important message was the proclamation that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead! (4) The Resurrection gives meaning to the church's sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Like Jesus' followers on the road to Emmaus, we break bread with our risen Lord, who comes in power to save us. (5) The Resurrection helps us find meaning even in great tragedy. No matter what happens to us as we walk with the Lord, the Resurrection gives us hope for the future. 

(6)The Resurrection assures us that Jesus is alive and ruling his kingdom. He is not a figure from a legend; he entered history in real time. (7) God’s power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us so that we can live for him in an evil world. 

     Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold we can live for him in an evil world. 

     Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, life choices, and even theology. But one central belief unites and inspires all true Christians: Jesus Christ rose from the dead! (For more on the importance of the Resurrection, see 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, 12-58.) 

24:11-12 People who hear about the Resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story. Like the disciples, they may pass through four stages of belief: (1) At first, they may think it is wishful thinking, perhaps a fairy tale, and impos­sible to believe. (2) Like Peter, they may check out the facts but still be puzzled about what happened. (3) Only when they encounter Jesus personally will they be able to accept the fact of the Resurrection. (4) Then, as they commit themselves to Jesus and devote their lives to serving him, they will begin to fully understand the reality of his presence with them.

24:12 From John 20:3-4 We learn that another disciple ran to the tomb with Peter. That other disciple was almost certainly John, the author of the fourth Gospel. 

24:13-17 The two disciples returning to Emmaus at first missed the significance of history's greatest event because they were too focused on their disappointments and problems. To compound the problem, they were walking in the wrong direction—away from the fellowship of Jesus· followers in Jerusalem. We are likely to miss Jesus and withdraw from the strength found in other believers when we become preoc­cupied with our dashed hopes and frustrated plans. Only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst will we experience the power and help he can bring. 

24:18 The news about Jesus' crucifixion had spread throughout Je­rusalem. Because this was Passover week, Jews visiting the city from all over the Roman Empire now knew about his death. This was not a small, insignificant event, affecting only the disciples—the whole nation was alert and following the news. 

24:21 These disciples from Emmaus had been counting on Jesus to redeem Israel—that is, to rescue the nation from its enemies. Most Jews believed that the Old Testament prophecies pointed to a military and political Messiah; they didn't realize that the Messiah had come to redeem people from slavery to sin. When Jesus died, therefore, they lost all hope. They didn't understand that Jesus' death offered the greatest hope possible. 

24:24 These disciples knew that the tomb was empty but didn't know that Jesus had risen, and they were filled with sadness. Despite the women's witness, which was verified by some of the disciples, and despite the biblical prophecies of this very event, they still didn't believe it. Today the Resurrection still catches people by surprise. Despite 2,000 years of evidence and witness, many people refuse to believe that it happened. What more will it take? For these disciples, it took seeing the living Jesus in the same room with them. For many people today, it takes meeting Christians who display the transforming love of the resurrected Christ to them. 

24:25-27 After the two disciples had explained their sadness and confusion, Jesus responded by going to Scripture and applying it to his ministry. When we are puzzled by questions or problems, we, too, can go to Scripture and find authoritative help. If we, like these two disciples, do not understand what the Bible means, we can turn to other believers who know the Bible and have the wisdom to apply it to our situation. 

24:25 Even though these Jewish men knew the biblical prophecies well, they failed to understand that Jesus' suffering was his path to glory. They could not understand why God had not intervened to save Jesus from the cross. They were so caught up in the world's admira­tion of political power and military might that they were blind to God's kingdom values. Jesus turned worldly values and aspirations upside down—in his kingdom, leaders must serve and true life comes from sacrifice. The world has not changed its values. The Suffering Servant is no more popular today than he was 2,000 years ago. But we do not only have the witness of the Old Testament prophets; we also have the witness of the New Testament apostles and the history of the Christian church testifying to Jesus' victory over death. Will we confront the values of our culture and put our faith in Jesus? Or will we foolishly continue to ignore the Good News?

24:27 Beginning with the promised offspring in Genesis (Genesis 3:15) and going through the Suffering Servant in Isaiah (Isaiah 53), the pierced one in Zechariah (Zechariah 12:10), and the messenger of the covenant in Malachi (Malachi 3:1), Jesus reintroduced these disciples to the Old Testament. Jesus is the thread woven through all the Scriptures, the central theme that binds them together. We can see how much God loves us in his careful preparation and the detail of his efforts to make salvation available to us. Here are several key passages Jesus may have mentioned on this walk to Emmaus: Genesis 3; 12; Psalms 22; 69; 110; Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 31; Zechariah 9; 13; Malachi 3. 

24:33-34 Paul also mentions that Jesus appeared to Peter alone (1 Corinthians 15:5). Luke was one of Paul's traveling companions, so he mentions this encounter, but no other Gospel does. Jesus showed individual concern for Peter because Peter felt completely unworthy after disowning his Lord. But Peter repented, and Jesus forgave him. Soon God would use Peter in building Christ's church (see the first half of the book of Acts). 

24:36-43 Jesus' body wasn't a figment of the imagination or the ap­pearance of a ghost—the disciples touched him, and he ate food. On the other hand, his body wasn't a restored human body like Lazarus's (John 11)—he was able to appear and disappear. Jesus' resurrected body was immortal. We will receive this kind of body at the resurrection of the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:42-50). 

24:44-46 “The Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” means the entire Old Testament. In other words, the entire Old Testament points to the Messiah. For example, his role as prophet was foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15-20; his sufferings were prophesied in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53; and his resurrection was predicted in Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:10-11. 24:44 Many days may have elapsed between 24:43 and 24:44 because Jesus and his followers traveled to Galilee and back before he returned to heaven (Matthew 28:16; John 21). In his second book, Acts, Luke makes it clear that Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples between his resurrec­tion and ascension. 

24:45 Jesus opened these people's minds to understand the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit still opens our minds when we study the Bible. Have you ever wondered how to understand a difficult Bible passage? Even before you read surrounding passages, ask other people, and consult reference works, pray that the Holy Spirit will open your mind to understand, giving you the needed insight to put God's Word into action in your life. 

24:47 Luke wrote to the Greek-speaking world. He wanted them to know that Jesus' message of God's love and forgiveness should go to all the world. We must never ignore the worldwide scope of the gospel. God wants all the world to hear the message of salvation. 

24:50-53 As the disciples stood and watched, Jesus began rising into the air, and soon he disappeared into heaven. Seeing Jesus leave must have been frightening, but the disciples now understood what kind of kingdom Jesus had come to establish and that he would keep his promise to send the Holy Spirit to be with them. This same Jesus, who lived with the disciples, who died and was buried, and who rose from the dead, loves us and promises to be with us always. We can get to know him better by studying the Scriptures, praying, and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus. 

24:51 Jesus' physical presence left the disciples when he returned to heaven (Acts 1:9), but the Holy Spirit soon came to comfort them and empower them to spread the gospel of salvation (Acts 2:1-4). Today Jesus' work of salvation is complete, and he is sitting at God's right hand, where he has authority over heaven and earth. 

24:53 Luke's Gospel demonstrates how Jesus lived his entire life in perfect accordance with God's plan. As a child, he was obedient to his parents and amazed the religious leaders in the temple. As an adult, he served God and others through preaching and healing. And finally, as a condemned man, he suffered with compassion and without complaint. This portrayal of Jesus was well suited to Luke's Greek audience, who often discussed the meaning of perfection. They placed a high value on the individual being an example and ever striving to attain greater and greater excellence. The Greeks, however, had a difficult time under­standing the spiritual importance of the physical world. To them, the spiritual was always more important than the physical. To help them understand the God-man, who united the spiritual and the physical, Luke emphasized that Jesus was not a phantom but a real human being who healed people and fed them because he was concerned with their physical health as well as the state of their souls. 

     As believers living according to God's plan, we, too, should obey our Lord in every detail as we seek to bring wholeness to people's bodies and souls. If others want to know how to live a perfect life, we can point them to Jesus. 

Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)