Luke 24
Jesus Is Alive, and Hope Is Not Finished
Luke ends his Gospel with the news that Jesus has risen from the dead. As Jesus meets his followers, he turns their grief into joy, helps them understand Scripture, and prepares them to share his message with the world.
Walking Through Luke 24
The Tomb Cannot Hold Him (Luke 24:1-12)
1 Now on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the aromatic spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood beside them in dazzling attire. 5 The women were terribly frightened and bowed 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, but has been raised! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then the women remembered his words, 9 and when they returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed like pure nonsense to them, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent down and saw only the strips of linen cloth; then he went home, wondering what had happened.Luke 24:1-12 · NET Bible
Early on the first day of the week, the women bring spices to care for Jesus’ body. They expect to find someone who is dead, not someone who has risen. Instead, the stone is moved, and the body is gone. Two men in shining clothes announce that Jesus is alive and remind the women of what he had said in Galilee. His suffering, death, and rising again were not a surprise to him.
The women remember and report the news to the apostles. Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, along with other women. Their report is dismissed, but Peter runs to the tomb and leaves wondering. I find comfort in their slow understanding. God’s faithfulness does not depend on how quickly we grasp what he has done.
Jesus Walks with the Disappointed (Luke 24:13-24)
13 Now that very day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them 16 (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him). 17 Then he said to them, “What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 He said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people; 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”Luke 24:13-24 · NET Bible
Later that day, two followers walk toward Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. Jesus joins them, but they are kept from recognizing him. Luke does not explain how. One of them, Cleopas, tells this seeming stranger about Jesus’ mighty words and works, his death, and their broken hopes.
They had hoped Jesus would rescue Israel. They know about the women’s report and the empty tomb, but they have not yet understood the resurrection. They can name the events without seeing what those events mean.
Notice how Jesus lets them speak. He draws out their grief before correcting their understanding. Their hope was placed in the right person, but their view of how he would save was too small. The cross looked like defeat because they could not yet see beyond it.
The Scriptures Open Their Eyes (Luke 24:25-35)
25 So he said to them, “You foolish people—how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures. 28 So they approached the village where they were going. He acted as though he wanted to go farther, 29 but they urged him, “Stay with us because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he had taken his place at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 At this point their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?” 33 So they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and those with them gathered together 34 and saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.Luke 24:25-35 · NET Bible
Jesus corrects the two followers for being slow to believe all that the prophets had spoken. The promised Savior had to suffer before entering his glory. Beginning with Moses and continuing through the prophets, Jesus explains how the Scriptures point to him. Luke does not list the passages, so we should not pretend to know his exact teaching.
When they reach the village, they urge Jesus to stay. At the meal, he takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to them. Their eyes are opened, and they recognize him before he disappears from their sight. They recall how deeply his teaching stirred them along the road.
They return to Jerusalem at once. There they hear that Jesus has also appeared to Simon, and they share their own news. The sorrowful walk has become a joyful return.
A Risen Body, Not a Ghost (Luke 24:36-43)
36 While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 But they were startled and terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 Then he said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; it’s me! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones like you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still could not believe it (because of their joy) and were amazed, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in front of them.Luke 24:36-43 · NET Bible
While the followers are speaking, Jesus stands among them and greets them with peace. They are frightened and think they are seeing a spirit. Jesus invites them to look at his hands and feet and touch him. He shows that he has a real body. Then he eats a piece of fish in front of them.
Luke wants us to understand that this is not merely a memory of Jesus or a feeling that his work still matters. The Jesus who died is truly alive. His risen body is real, though his sudden appearance shows something beyond their ordinary experience.
I love the patience we see here. Jesus does not cast them aside for struggling to believe. He gives them reasons to trust the joyful truth before their eyes.
Good News for Every Nation (Luke 24:44-49)
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”Luke 24:44-49 · NET Bible
Jesus reminds his followers that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled. These names point to the broad witness of Israel’s Scriptures. He opens their minds to understand God’s plan: the Christ, God’s promised King, would suffer and rise from death on the third day.
Now a message must go out in his name. People from every nation are to hear about repentance and forgiveness of sins, beginning in Jerusalem. Repentance means turning from sin toward God. Forgiveness is offered through Jesus, not earned by making ourselves worthy.
His followers are witnesses, but they must wait for the power the Father promised. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The mission belongs to God, and his people need his power to carry it out.
He Leaves Them with a Blessing (Luke 24:50-53)
50 Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 Now during the blessing he departed and was taken up into heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple courts blessing God.Luke 24:50-53 · NET Bible
Jesus leads his followers out toward Bethany. He lifts his hands and blesses them, and while blessing them, he is taken up into heaven. They worship him and return to Jerusalem with great joy. They continue gathering at the temple to praise God.
What a change from the chapter’s opening. The women came to a tomb in sorrow, but now the followers worship a living Lord. Jesus’ departure does not mean that death has taken him away again. He goes to heaven as the risen Savior, having promised power for their coming work.
Luke closes with worship, joy, and blessing. I want us to notice that final picture of Jesus: he leaves with his hands raised in blessing over the people he has saved.
- Resurrection — Jesus truly rose from death with a living body.
- Witnesses — People who could tell others what they had seen and heard about Jesus.
Where do you need to let what Jesus has said reshape what you have concluded?
Father, thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and offering us forgiveness through him. Open our minds to your Word and strengthen our trust in your faithful love. By your Spirit, help us share this good news with grace and courage. Amen.