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A Plague against Livestock

“Go back to Pharaoh,” the Lord commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. If you continue to hold them and refuse to let them go, the hand of the Lord will strike all your livestock—your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats—with a deadly plague. But the Lord will again make a distinction between the livestock of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians. Not a single one of Israel’s animals will die! The Lord has already set the time for the plague to begin. He has declared that he will strike the land tomorrow.’”

And the Lord did just as he had said. The next morning all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but the Israelites didn’t lose a single animal. Pharaoh sent his officials to investigate, and they discovered that the Israelites had not lost a single animal! But even so, Pharaoh’s heart remained stubborn,[a] and he still refused to let the people go.

A Plague of Festering Boils

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a brick kiln, and have Moses toss it into the air while Pharaoh watches. The ashes will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing festering boils to break out on people and animals throughout the land.”

10 So they took soot from a brick kiln and went and stood before Pharaoh. As Pharaoh watched, Moses threw the soot into the air, and boils broke out on people and animals alike. 11 Even the magicians were unable to stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and all the Egyptians. 12 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and just as the Lord had predicted to Moses, Pharaoh refused to listen.

A Plague of Hail

13 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. 14 If you don’t, I will send more plagues on you[b] and your officials and your people. Then you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth. 15 By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth. 16 But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power[c] and to spread my fame throughout the earth. 17 But you still lord it over my people and refuse to let them go. 18 So tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm more devastating than any in all the history of Egypt. 19 Quick! Order your livestock and servants to come in from the fields to find shelter. Any person or animal left outside will die when the hail falls.’”

20 Some of Pharaoh’s officials were afraid because of what the Lord had said. They quickly brought their servants and livestock in from the fields. 21 But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward the sky so hail may fall on the people, the livestock, and all the plants throughout the land of Egypt.”

23 So Moses lifted his staff toward the sky, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed toward the earth. The Lord sent a tremendous hailstorm against all the land of Egypt. 24 Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such devastating hail and continuous lightning. 25 It left all of Egypt in ruins. The hail struck down everything in the open field—people, animals, and plants alike. Even the trees were destroyed. 26 The only place without hail was the region of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived.

27 Then Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he confessed. “The Lord is the righteous one, and my people and I are wrong. 28 Please beg the Lord to end this terrifying thunder and hail. We’ve had enough. I will let you go; you don’t need to stay any longer.”

29 “All right,” Moses replied. “As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the Lord. Then the thunder and hail will stop, and you will know that the earth belongs to the Lord. 30 But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”

31 (All the flax and barley were ruined by the hail, because the barley had formed heads and the flax was budding. 32 But the wheat and the emmer wheat were spared, because they had not yet sprouted from the ground.)

33 So Moses left Pharaoh’s court and went out of the city. When he lifted his hands to the Lord, the thunder and hail stopped, and the downpour ceased. 34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had stopped, he and his officials sinned again, and Pharaoh again became stubborn.[d] 35 Because his heart was hard, Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the Lord had predicted through Moses.

A Plague of Locusts

10 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Return to Pharaoh and make your demands again. I have made him and his officials stubborn[e] so I can display my miraculous signs among them. I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord.”

So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to submit to me? Let my people go, so they can worship me. If you refuse, watch out! For tomorrow I will bring a swarm of locusts on your country. They will cover the land so that you won’t be able to see the ground. They will devour what little is left of your crops after the hailstorm, including all the trees growing in the fields. They will overrun your palaces and the homes of your officials and all the houses in Egypt. Never in the history of Egypt have your ancestors seen a plague like this one!” And with that, Moses turned and left Pharaoh.

Pharaoh’s officials now came to Pharaoh and appealed to him. “How long will you let this man hold us hostage? Let the men go to worship the Lord their God! Don’t you realize that Egypt lies in ruins?”

So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. “All right,” he told them, “go and worship the Lord your God. But who exactly will be going with you?”

Moses replied, “We will all go—young and old, our sons and daughters, and our flocks and herds. We must all join together in celebrating a festival to the Lord.”

10 Pharaoh retorted, “The Lord will certainly need to be with you if I let you take your little ones! I can see through your evil plan. 11 Never! Only the men may go and worship the Lord, since that is what you requested.” And Pharaoh threw them out of the palace.

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the land of Egypt to bring on the locusts. Let them cover the land and devour every plant that survived the hailstorm.”

13 So Moses raised his staff over Egypt, and the Lord caused an east wind to blow over the land all that day and through the night. When morning arrived, the east wind had brought the locusts. 14 And the locusts swarmed over the whole land of Egypt, settling in dense swarms from one end of the country to the other. It was the worst locust plague in Egyptian history, and there has never been another one like it. 15 For the locusts covered the whole country and darkened the land. They devoured every plant in the fields and all the fruit on the trees that had survived the hailstorm. Not a single leaf was left on the trees and plants throughout the land of Egypt.

16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you,” he confessed. 17 “Forgive my sin, just this once, and plead with the Lord your God to take away this death from me.”

18 So Moses left Pharaoh’s court and pleaded with the Lord. 19 The Lord responded by shifting the wind, and the strong west wind blew the locusts into the Red Sea.[f] Not a single locust remained in all the land of Egypt. 20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart again, so he refused to let the people go.

A Plague of Darkness

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it.” 22 So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. 23 During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.

24 Finally, Pharaoh called for Moses. “Go and worship the Lord,” he said. “But leave your flocks and herds here. You may even take your little ones with you.”

25 “No,” Moses said, “you must provide us with animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord our God. 26 All our livestock must go with us, too; not a hoof can be left behind. We must choose our sacrifices for the Lord our God from among these animals. And we won’t know how we are to worship the Lord until we get there.”

27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart once more, and he would not let them go. 28 “Get out of here!” Pharaoh shouted at Moses. “I’m warning you. Never come back to see me again! The day you see my face, you will die!”

29 “Very well,” Moses replied. “I will never see your face again.”

Death for Egypt’s Firstborn

11 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will strike Pharaoh and the land of Egypt with one more blow. After that, Pharaoh will let you leave this country. In fact, he will be so eager to get rid of you that he will force you all to leave. Tell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” (Now the Lord had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel. And Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt, respected by Pharaoh’s officials and the Egyptian people alike.)

Moses had announced to Pharaoh, “This is what the Lord says: At midnight tonight I will pass through the heart of Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest servant girl who grinds the flour. Even the firstborn of all the livestock will die. Then a loud wail will rise throughout the land of Egypt, a wail like no one has heard before or will ever hear again. But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites. All the officials of Egypt will run to me and fall to the ground before me. ‘Please leave!’ they will beg. ‘Hurry! And take all your followers with you.’ Only then will I go!” Then, burning with anger, Moses left Pharaoh.

Now the Lord had told Moses earlier, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, but then I will do even more mighty miracles in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron performed these miracles in Pharaoh’s presence, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let the Israelites leave the country.

Footnotes

  1. 9:7 Hebrew heavy.
  2. 9:14 Hebrew on your heart.
  3. 9:16 Greek version reads to display my power in you; compare Rom 9:17.
  4. 9:34 Hebrew made his heart heavy.
  5. 10:1 Hebrew have made his heart and his officials’ hearts heavy.
  6. 10:19 Hebrew sea of reeds.

Egyptian Livestock Die

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and speak to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews says: “(A)Let My people go, so that they may serve Me. For (B)if you refuse to let them go and [a]continue to hold them, behold, (C)the hand of the Lord [b]will come with a very severe plague on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks. (D)But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that (E)nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”’” And the Lord set a definite time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” So the Lord did this thing on the next day, and (F)all the livestock of Egypt died; (G)but not one of the livestock of the sons of Israel died. And Pharaoh sent men, and they learned that, behold, not even one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But (H)the heart of Pharaoh was [c]hardened, and he did not let the people go.

The Plague of Boils

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of soot from a kiln, and Moses shall toss it toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh. Then it will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and will turn into (I)boils breaking out with sores on every person and animal through all the land of Egypt.” 10 So they took soot from a kiln, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses tossed it toward the sky, and it became boils breaking out with sores on every person and animal. 11 (J)The soothsayer priests could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the soothsayer priests as well as on all the Egyptians. 12 But (K)the Lord [d]hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

13 Then the Lord said to Moses, “(L)Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews says: “(M)Let My people go, so that they may serve Me. 14 For this time I am going to send all My plagues [e]on you and your servants and your people, so that (N)you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. 15 For had I now put out My hand and struck you and your people with plague, you would then have been eliminated from the earth. 16 But indeed, (O)for this reason I have allowed you to [f]remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name throughout the earth. 17 Still you exalt yourself against My people [g]by not letting them go.

The Plague of Hail

18 Behold, about this time tomorrow, (P)I will [h]send a very heavy hail, such as has not been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded [i]until now. 19 So now, send word, bring (Q)your livestock and whatever you have in the field to safety. (R)Every person and animal that is found in the field and is not brought home, when the hail comes down on them, will die.”’” 20 (S)Everyone among the servants of Pharaoh who [j]feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring his servants and his livestock into the houses; 21 but everyone who [k]did not pay regard to the word of the Lord [l]left his servants and his livestock in the field.

22 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out with your hand toward the sky, so that [m](T)hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on every person and animal, and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” 23 So Moses reached out with his staff toward the sky, and the Lord [n]sent [o]thunder and (U)hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire flashing intermittently in the midst of the hail, which was very heavy, such as had not occurred in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 (V)The hail struck everything that was in the field through all the land of Egypt, from people to animals; the hail also struck every plant of the field, and shattered every tree of the field. 26 (W)Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, was there no hail.

27 Then Pharaoh [p](X)sent for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “(Y)I have sinned this time; the Lord is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones. 28 (Z)Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God’s [q]thunder and hail; and (AA)I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.” 29 Moses said to him, “As soon as I go out of the city, I will (AB)spread out my [r]hands to the Lord; the [s]thunder will cease and there will no longer be hail, so that you may know that (AC)the earth is the Lords. 30 (AD)But as for you and your servants, I know that (AE)you do not yet [t]fear [u]the Lord God.” 31 (Now the flax and the (AF)barley were [v]ruined, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not [w]ruined, for they ripen late.) 33 (AG)So Moses left the city from his meeting with Pharaoh, and spread out his [x]hands to the Lord; and the [y]thunder and the hail stopped, and rain [z]no longer poured on the earth. 34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the [aa]thunder had stopped, he sinned again and [ab]hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 So Pharaoh’s heart was [ac]hardened, and he did not let the sons of Israel go, just as the (AH)Lord had spoken through Moses.

The Plague of Locusts

10 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for (AI)I have [ad]hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, so that I may [ae]perform these signs of Mine [af]among them, and (AJ)that you may tell in the [ag]presence of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I [ah]performed My signs among them, (AK)so that you may know that I am the Lord.”

So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews says: ‘How long will you refuse to (AL)humble yourself before Me? (AM)Let My people go, so that they may serve Me. For if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. And they will cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land. (AN)They will also eat the rest of what has survived—what is left to you from the hail—and they will eat every tree of yours which grows [ai]in the field. Then (AO)your houses will be filled with them, [aj]together with the houses of all your servants and the houses of all the Egyptians, something which neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen, from the day that they [ak]came upon the earth until this day.’” And he turned and left Pharaoh. Then (AP)Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long shall this man be (AQ)a snare to us? Let the [al]people go, so that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet [am]realize that Egypt is destroyed?” So Moses and Aaron (AR)were brought back to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “(AS)Go, serve the Lord your God! [an]Who specifically are the ones who are going?” Moses said, “(AT)We shall go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, (AU)with our flocks and our herds we shall go, for we [ao]must hold a feast to the Lord.” 10 Then he said to them, “So may the Lord be with you, when I let you and your little ones go! Watch out, for evil is [ap]on your mind! 11 Not so! Go now, but only the men among you, and serve the Lord, since [aq]that is what you desire.” So (AV)they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “(AW)Reach out with your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, so that they may come up on the land of Egypt and (AX)eat every plant of the land, everything that the hail has left.” 13 So Moses reached out with his staff over the land of Egypt, and the Lord directed an east wind on the land all that day and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind [ar]brought the (AY)locusts. 14 (AZ)The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled in all the territory of Egypt; they were very [as]numerous. There had never been so many [at]locusts, nor would there be so many [au]again. 15 For they covered the surface of the whole land, so that the land was darkened; and they (BA)ate every plant of the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Therefore nothing green was left on tree or plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh hurriedly (BB)called for Moses and Aaron, and he said, “(BC)I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. 17 So now, please forgive my sin only this once, and (BD)plead with the Lord your God, that He would only remove this death from me.” 18 Then (BE)he left Pharaoh and pleaded with the Lord. 19 So the Lord shifted the wind to a very strong west wind, which picked up the locusts and drove them into the [av]Red Sea; not one locust was left in all the territory of Egypt. 20 But (BF)the Lord [aw]hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.

Darkness over the Land

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “(BG)Reach out with your hand toward the sky, so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness (BH)which may be felt.” 22 So Moses reached out with his hand toward the sky, and there was (BI)thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, (BJ)but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings. 24 Then Pharaoh (BK)called for Moses, and said, “Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be left behind. Even (BL)your little ones may go with you.” 25 But Moses said, “You must also [ax]let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, so that we may [ay]sacrifice them to the Lord our God. 26 (BM)Therefore, our livestock too shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we shall take some of them to serve the Lord our God. And until we arrive there, we ourselves do not know with what we shall serve the Lord.” 27 But (BN)the Lord [az]hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “(BO)Get away from me! [ba]Be careful, do not see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you shall die!” 29 Moses said, “You have spoken correctly; (BP)I shall never see your face again!”

The Last Plague

11 Now the Lord said to Moses, “One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt; (BQ)after that he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will assuredly drive you out from here completely. Speak now [bb]so that the people hear, that (BR)each man is to ask of his neighbor, and each woman of her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” And (BS)the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. (BT)Furthermore, the man Moses himself was [bc]greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘About (BU)midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, and (BV)all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well. So there shall be (BW)a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again. (BX)But not even a dog will [bd]threaten any of the sons of Israel, nor anything from person to animal, so that you may [be]learn how the Lord distinguishes between Egypt and Israel.’ And (BY)all these servants of yours will come down to me and bow themselves [bf]before me, saying, ‘Go out, you and all the people who [bg]follow you,’ and after that I will go out.” (BZ)And he left Pharaoh in the heat of anger.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “(CA)Pharaoh will not listen to you, so (CB)that My wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 So (CC)Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; yet (CD)the Lord [bh]hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 9:2 Lit still hold
  2. Exodus 9:3 Lit will be
  3. Exodus 9:7 Lit heavy
  4. Exodus 9:12 Lit made strong
  5. Exodus 9:14 Lit to your heart
  6. Exodus 9:16 Lit stand
  7. Exodus 9:17 Lit so as not to let
  8. Exodus 9:18 Lit cause to rain
  9. Exodus 9:18 Lit and until now
  10. Exodus 9:20 Or revered
  11. Exodus 9:21 Lit did not set his heart to
  12. Exodus 9:21 Lit then left
  13. Exodus 9:22 Lit there may be hail
  14. Exodus 9:23 Lit gave
  15. Exodus 9:23 Lit sounds
  16. Exodus 9:27 Lit sent and called
  17. Exodus 9:28 Lit sounds
  18. Exodus 9:29 Lit palms
  19. Exodus 9:29 Lit sounds
  20. Exodus 9:30 Or revere
  21. Exodus 9:30 Lit before the Lord
  22. Exodus 9:31 Lit struck
  23. Exodus 9:32 Lit struck
  24. Exodus 9:33 Lit palms
  25. Exodus 9:33 Lit sounds
  26. Exodus 9:33 Lit was not poured
  27. Exodus 9:34 Lit sounds
  28. Exodus 9:34 Lit made heavy
  29. Exodus 9:35 Lit strong
  30. Exodus 10:1 Lit made heavy
  31. Exodus 10:1 Lit put
  32. Exodus 10:1 Lit in his midst
  33. Exodus 10:2 Lit ears
  34. Exodus 10:2 Lit put
  35. Exodus 10:5 Lit from
  36. Exodus 10:6 Lit and the
  37. Exodus 10:6 Lit were
  38. Exodus 10:7 Or men
  39. Exodus 10:7 Lit know
  40. Exodus 10:8 Lit Who and who are
  41. Exodus 10:9 Lit have a feast
  42. Exodus 10:10 Lit before your face
  43. Exodus 10:11 Lit you desire it
  44. Exodus 10:13 Lit carried
  45. Exodus 10:14 Lit heavy
  46. Exodus 10:14 Lit locusts like them before them
  47. Exodus 10:14 Lit after them
  48. Exodus 10:19 Lit Sea of Reeds
  49. Exodus 10:20 Lit made strong
  50. Exodus 10:25 Lit hand over
  51. Exodus 10:25 Lit make them for
  52. Exodus 10:27 Lit made strong
  53. Exodus 10:28 Lit Take care for yourself
  54. Exodus 11:2 Lit in the ears of the people that
  55. Exodus 11:3 Lit very great
  56. Exodus 11:7 Lit move its tongue
  57. Exodus 11:7 Lit know
  58. Exodus 11:8 Lit to
  59. Exodus 11:8 Lit are at your feet
  60. Exodus 11:10 Lit made strong

The Resurrection

24 But very early on Sunday morning[a] the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man[b] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

The Walk to Emmaus

13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles[c] from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.

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

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

19 “What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat,[d] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[e]

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[f] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.

49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

The Ascension

50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Footnotes

  1. 24:1 Greek But on the first day of the week, very early in the morning.
  2. 24:7 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
  3. 24:13 Greek 60 stadia [11.1 kilometers].
  4. 24:30 Or As they reclined.
  5. 24:34 Greek Simon.
  6. 24:47 Or all peoples.

The Resurrection

24 (A)But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of (B)the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, (C)two men suddenly (D)stood near them in gleaming clothing; and as [a]the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He (E)has [b]risen. Remember how He spoke to you (F)while He was still in Galilee, saying that (G)the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.” And (H)they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 Now these women were (I)Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to (J)the apostles. 11 But these words appeared [c]to them as nonsense, and they (K)would not believe [d]the women. 12 Nevertheless, Peter got up and (L)ran to the tomb; and when he stooped and looked in, he *saw the linen wrappings [e]only; and he went away (M)to his [f]home, marveling at what had happened.

The Road to Emmaus

13 And behold, on that very day (N)two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, which was [g]sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But (O)their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they came to a stop, looking sad. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You possibly the only one living near Jerusalem [h]who does not know about the things that happened here in these days?” 19 And He said to them, “What sort of things?” And they said to Him, “Those about (P)Jesus the Nazarene, who proved to be a (Q)prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our (R)rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we [i]were hoping that it was He who was going to (S)redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 But also some women among us left us bewildered. (T)When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 And so some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” 25 And then He said to them, [j]You foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that (U)the prophets have spoken! 26 (V)Was it not necessary for the [k]Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?” 27 Then beginning [l]with (W)Moses and [m]with all the (X)Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.

28 And they approached the village where they were going, and (Y)He gave the impression that He was going farther. 29 And so they strongly urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day [n]is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30 And it came about, when He had reclined at the table with them, that He took the bread and (Z)blessed it, and He broke it and began giving it to them. 31 And then their (AA)eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from [o]their sight. 32 They said to one another, “[p]Were our hearts not burning within us when He was speaking to us on the road, while He (AB)was [q]explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and (AC)found the eleven gathered together and (AD)those who were with them, 34 saying, “(AE)The Lord has really risen and (AF)has appeared to Simon!” 35 They began to relate [r]their experiences on the road, and how (AG)He was recognized by them at the breaking of the bread.

Other Appearances

36 Now while they were telling these things, (AH)Jesus Himself suddenly stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened, and thought that they were looking at (AI)a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why are doubts arising in your [s]hearts? 39 (AJ)See My hands and My feet, that [t]it is I Myself; (AK)touch Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you plainly see that I have.” 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 While they still [u](AL)could not believe it because of their joy and astonishment, He said to them, (AM)Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They served Him a piece of broiled fish; 43 and He took it and (AN)ate it in front of them.

44 Now He said to them, (AO)These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that are written about Me in the (AP)Law of Moses and the Prophets and (AQ)the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He (AR)opened their [v]minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, (AS)So it is written, that the [w]Christ would suffer and (AT)rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that (AU)repentance [x]for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed [y]in His name to (AV)all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are (AW)witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, (AX)I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but (AY)you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension

50 And He led them out as far as (AZ)Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple [z]praising God.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 24:5 Lit they
  2. Luke 24:6 Or been raised
  3. Luke 24:11 Lit in their sight
  4. Luke 24:11 Lit them
  5. Luke 24:12 Or by themselves
  6. Luke 24:12 Lit own home
  7. Luke 24:13 Possibly about 7 miles or 11.3 km; a Roman stadion perhaps averaged 607 ft. or 185 m
  8. Luke 24:18 Lit and you do not know
  9. Luke 24:21 Or expected that
  10. Luke 24:25 Lit O foolish
  11. Luke 24:26 I.e., Messiah
  12. Luke 24:27 Lit from
  13. Luke 24:27 Lit from
  14. Luke 24:29 Lit has now declined
  15. Luke 24:31 Lit them
  16. Luke 24:32 Lit Was our heart
  17. Luke 24:32 Lit opening
  18. Luke 24:35 Lit the things
  19. Luke 24:38 Lit heart
  20. Luke 24:39 Lit I Myself am
  21. Luke 24:41 Lit were disbelieving
  22. Luke 24:45 Lit mind
  23. Luke 24:46 I.e., Messiah
  24. Luke 24:47 Later mss and forgiveness
  25. Luke 24:47 Or on the basis of
  26. Luke 24:53 Lit blessing