Luke 24
Lexham English Bible
Jesus Is Raised
24 Now on the first day of the week, at very early dawn, they came back to the tomb bringing the fragrant spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they[a] went in, they did not find the body.[b] 4 And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men in gleaming clothing stood near them. 5 And as[c] they were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he spoke to you while he[d] was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of men who are sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise?” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and when they[e] returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the others with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 And these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they refused to believe them. 12 But Peter got up and[f] ran to the tomb, and bending over to look, he saw only the strips of linen cloth, and he went away to his home[g] wondering what had happened.
Jesus Encountered on the Road to Emmaus
13 And behold, on that same day, two of them were traveling to a village named[h] Emmaus that was sixty stadia[i] distant from Jerusalem, 14 and they were conversing with one another about all these things that had happened. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing, and discussing, Jesus himself also approached and[j] began to go along with[k] them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are these matters that you are discussing with one another as you[l] are walking along?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 And one of them, named[m] Cleopas, answered and[n] said to him, “Are you the only one living near Jerusalem and not knowing the things that have happened in it in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, a man who was a prophet, powerful in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to a sentence of death, and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. But in addition to all these things, this is the third day since[o] these things took place. 22 But also some women from among us astonished us, who were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they[p] did not find his body, they came back saying they had seen even a vision of angels, who said that he was alive! 24 And some of those with us went out to the tomb and found it[q] like this, just as the women had also said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish and slow in heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures. 28 And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he acted as though he was going farther. 29 And they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening, and by this time the day is far spent.” And he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that when he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread and[r] gave thanks, and after[s] breaking it,[t] he gave it[u] to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he became invisible to them. 32 And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that same hour and[v] returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled, 34 saying, “The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they began describing[w] what happened[x] on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 And while[y] they were saying these things, he himself stood there among them.[z] 37 But they were startled and became terrified, and[aa] thought they had seen a ghost. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you frightened? And for what reason do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that I am I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”[ab] 40 And when he[ac] had said this, he showed them his[ad] hands and his[ae] feet. 41 And while[af] they were still disbelieving because of joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat[ag] here?” 42 So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it[ah] and[ai] ate it[aj] in front of them.
Jesus Commissions His Disciples
44 And he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I[ak] was still with you, that everything that is written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and the forgiveness[al] of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations,[am] beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending out[an] what was promised by my Father upon you, but you stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension
50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 And it happened that while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and[ao] returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually[ap] in the temple courts[aq] praising God.
Footnotes
- Luke 24:3 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“went in”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:3 Some manuscripts add “of the Lord Jesus”
- Luke 24:5 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participles (“were” and “bowed”)
- Luke 24:6 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:9 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“returned”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:12 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 24:12 Or “wondering to himself,” if the prepositional phrase modifies the following participle
- Luke 24:13 Literally “to which the name”
- Luke 24:13 A “stade” or “stadium” (plur. “stadia”) is about 607 ft (187 m)
- Luke 24:15 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 24:15 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to go along with”)
- Luke 24:17 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“walking along”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:18 Literally “by name”
- Luke 24:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 24:21 Literally “he spends from which”
- Luke 24:23 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“find”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:24 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 24:30 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 24:30 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“breaking”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:30 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 24:30 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 24:33 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 24:35 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began describing”)
- Luke 24:35 Literally “the things”
- Luke 24:36 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were saying”)
- Luke 24:36 Some manuscripts add “and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’”
- Luke 24:37 Here “and” is supplied because the two previous participles (“startled” and “terrified”) have been translated as finite verbs
- Luke 24:39 Literally “you see me having”
- Luke 24:40 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had said”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Luke 24:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Luke 24:41 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“disbelieving”)
- Luke 24:41 Literally “eatable”
- Luke 24:43 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 24:43 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 24:43 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 24:44 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal
- Luke 24:47 Some manuscripts have “repentance for the forgiveness”
- Luke 24:47 The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
- Luke 24:49 Some manuscripts have “am sending”
- Luke 24:52 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“worshiped”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 24:53 Literally “through everything”
- Luke 24:53 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
Luke 24
The Voice
24 Early on Sunday morning, even before the sun had fully risen, these women made their way back to the tomb with the spices and ointments they had prepared. 2 When they arrived, they found the stone was rolled away from the tomb entrance, 3 and when they looked inside, the body of the Lord Jesus was nowhere to be seen. 4 They didn’t know what to think. As they stood there in confusion, two men suddenly appeared standing beside them. These men seemed to glow with light. 5 The women were so terrified that they fell to the ground facedown.
This phrase, “Son of Man,” is very important in Luke’s story and may have many layers of meaning. It may mean “epitome of humanity” or “prime example of what a human can be.” But it also evokes a specific passage of Scripture that is very important to Jewish people, Daniel 7:13-27. There the phrase “Son of Man” refers to a king who receives an eternal and universal kingdom, and it also represents “the saints of the Most High”—the people of God. In light of Jesus’ central message about the kingdom of God, it is likely that the phrase suggests Jesus is the long-awaited Anointed One who launches a new era in human history and who creates a community of people who represent the eternal and universal kingdom of God. In this way, “Son of” suggests “new generation of,” and “Man” suggests “humanity.” Jesus is Himself the new generation of humanity (a second Adam, a new beginning), and the community He creates shares this identity (a new creation, a new humanity in Jesus). The two messengers here use this pregnant phrase in a way that shocks everyone: The way this long-awaited Anointed One receives His kingdom is not through conventional military victory where enemies are defeated and killed. No, this King receives His kingdom by suffering, dying, and rising again Himself. Amazing news—good news!
Two Men: Why are you seeking the living One in the place of the dead? 6 He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Don’t you remember what He told you way back in Galilee? 7 He told you that the Son of Man must be handed over to wicked men, He must be crucified, and then on the third day He must rise.
8 The women did remember Jesus’ words about this, 9 so they returned from the tomb and found the eleven and recounted for them—and others with them—everything they had experienced. 10-11 The Lord’s emissaries[a] heard their stories as fiction, a lie; they didn’t believe a word of it. (By the way, this group of women included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, along with a number of others.) 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he reached the opening, he bent down, looked inside, and saw the linen burial cloths lying there. But the body was gone. He walked away, full of wonder about what had happened.
13 Picture this:
That same day, two other disciples (not of the eleven) are traveling the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. 14 As they walk along, they talk back and forth about all that has transpired during recent days. 15 While they’re talking, discussing, and conversing, Jesus catches up to them and begins walking with them, 16 but for some reason they don’t recognize Him.
Jesus: 17 You two seem deeply engrossed in conversation. What are you talking about as you walk along this road?
They stop walking and just stand there, looking sad. 18 One of them—Cleopas is his name—speaks up.
Cleopas: You must be the only visitor in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about what’s been going on over the last few days.
Jesus: 19 What are you talking about?
Two Disciples: It’s all about the man named Jesus of Nazareth. He was a mighty prophet who did amazing miracles and preached powerful messages in the sight of God and everyone around. 20 Our chief priests and authorities handed Him over to be executed—crucified, in fact.
21 We had been hoping that He was the One—you know, the One who would liberate all Israel and bring God’s promises. Anyway, on top of all this, just this morning—the third day after the execution— 22 some women in our group really shocked us. They went to the tomb early this morning, 23 but they didn’t see His body anywhere. Then they came back and told us they did see something—a vision of heavenly messengers—and these messengers said that Jesus was alive. 24 Some people in our group went to the tomb to check it out, and just as the women had said, it was empty. But they didn’t see Jesus.
Jesus: 25 Come on, men! Why are you being so foolish? Why are your hearts so sluggish when it comes to believing what the prophets have been saying all along? 26 Didn’t it have to be this way? Didn’t the Anointed One have to experience these sufferings in order to come into His glory?
Luke has told his story. It ends with joy and praise. The crucified Jesus has been resurrected and has ascended to heaven to take His place at God’s right hand just as the ancient prophets predicted. For the band of disciples, Easter joy has eclipsed Good Friday sorrow.
This ending point becomes the starting point for Luke’s sequel, known as the Acts of the Apostles. The story isn’t really over; it’s just begun. The life and ministry of Jesus that Luke has just recounted is the mustard-seed stage of the kingdom of God that continues to grow and grow and grow. Now it’s time for this Kingdom to fill the world. If Luke’s Gospel is about what Jesus began to do and teach, then Luke’s sequel is about what the risen Jesus continues to do and teach through His followers for millennia. Luke writes in hope that future believers will be taken up into this beautiful story that will never, ever end.
27 Then He begins with Moses and continues, prophet by prophet, explaining the meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures, showing how they were talking about the very things that had happened to Jesus.
28 About this time, they are nearing their destination. Jesus keeps walking ahead as if He has no plans to stop there, 29 but they convince Him to join them.
Two Disciples: Please, be our guest. It’s getting late, and soon it will be too dark to walk.
So He accompanies them to their home. 30 When they sit down at the table for dinner, He takes the bread in His hands, He gives thanks for it, and then He breaks it and hands it to them. 31 At that instant, two things happen simultaneously: their eyes are suddenly opened so they recognize Him, and He instantly vanishes—just disappears before their eyes.
Two Disciples (to each other): 32 Amazing! Weren’t our hearts on fire within us while He was talking to us on the road? Didn’t you feel it all coming clear as He explained the meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures?
33 So they get up immediately and rush back to Jerusalem—all seven miles—where they find the eleven gathered together—the eleven plus a number of others. 34 Before Cleopas and his companion can tell their story, the others have their own story to tell.
Other Disciples: The Lord has risen indeed! It’s true! He appeared to Simon!
35 Then the two men report their own experience—their conversation along the road, their moment of realization and recognition as He broke the bread. 36 At that very instant, as they’re still telling the story, Jesus is there, standing among them!
Jesus: May you have peace!
You might expect them to be overjoyed, but they aren’t.
37 They’re startled and terrified; they think they’re seeing a ghost.
Jesus: 38 Why are you upset? Why are your hearts churning with questions? 39 Look—look at My hands and My feet! See that it’s Me! Come on; touch Me; see for yourselves. A ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you can see that I have!
[40 Then He shows them His hands and His feet.][b]
41 Now their fear gives way to joy; but it seems too good to be true, and they’re still unsure.
Jesus: Do you have anything here to eat?
42 They hand Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He takes it and eats it in front of them.
Jesus: 44 I’ve been telling you this all along, that everything written about Me in the Hebrew Scriptures must be fulfilled—everything from the law of Moses to the prophets to the psalms.
45 Then He opens their minds so they can comprehend the meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Jesus: 46 This is what the Scriptures said: that the promised Anointed One should suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 that in His name a radical change of thought and life should be preached, and that in His name the forgiveness of sins should be preached, beginning in Jerusalem and extending to all nations. 48 You have witnessed the fulfillment of these things. 49 So I am sending My Father’s promise to you. Stay in the city until you receive it—until power from heaven comes upon you.
50 Then He leads them out to Bethany. He lifts up His hands and blesses them, 51 and at that moment, with His hands raised in blessing, He leaves them and is carried up into heaven. 52 They worship Him, then they return to Jerusalem, filled with intense joy, 53 and they return again and again to the temple to celebrate God.
2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.