Luke Chapter 24.

Luke Chapter 24.

The empty tomb.  24:1-12.   After sunset on Saturday it would have been legal for the women to embalm Christ's body.  They preferred, however, to wait until the next morning, doubtless so as not to be hindered by approaching darkness. (Easton).

The women:

                        Their intention.

                        Their discovery.

                        Their interview with the angels.

                        They are reminded of Jesus' words.

                        They return to the apostles.

                        Their words perplex the apostles.

From Mark 16:8, we learn the women said nothing through fear. However, this silence must soon have been broken.  John's Gospel, more than any other, thinks of the empty tomb as a proof of the resurrection. 

           

The walk to Emmaus.  24:13-35.   Emmaus is generally identified with Kaloniyeh, a village some 4 miles northward of Jerusalem, but identification is not certain.  But the N.E.B. has "about seven miles."  It probably does not identify Emmaus with Kaloniyeh.  See Bible Dictionary, see also 'furlong' (stadious) in Vine's Dictionary.  The difficulty of identification with Kaloniyeh, is that it is about 34 furlongs, not 60.

           

The two men are engaged in earnest discussion as they travel.  Jesus approached and questioned them about their discussions.  Cleophas recounts to Jesus all that has transpired recently in Jerusalem.  Cleophas and his unnamed companion fail to recognize Jesus.  They were so pre-occupied with their own sorrow.  Their normal facilities were suspended by divine power.

           

They were surprised that anyone living at Jerusalem should be so ignorant of the things which had taken place.  They described Jesus as a prophet, mighty in word and deed.  Luke's Gospel in different ways, shows Jesus as a prophet.  The death of Jesus had not destroyed the confidence of these men that Jesus was a mighty prophet.  Jerusalem was noted for its killing of prophets.  But these men had hoped that Jesus had lived to bring redemption to Israel.

           

Jesus listened for some time to their conversation. He then gently reproves them, they should have known and believed the scriptures that Christ must suffer, and then, enter his glory.  What had occurred, was not a disaster, but the fulfilment of God's plan.  Note the word 'dei', it is necessary, inevitable (behoved, must), that the Christ must suffer, for this is the way to His glory.

           

From the types and prophecies, He interpreted in all the scriptures, the things concerning himself.  Thus the ministry of Christ, must be developed from the scriptures.  He is the central theme of all scriptures.  When Christ is ministered, the hearts of the people are warmed.

           

When they arrived at Emmaus, the two disciples had become so fascinated with the Lord's exposition, that they did not want their interpreter to leave them.  They pressed him to stay with them and, when they sat at the meal, the Lord takes the right, the position of host.

           

When the Lord broke the bread their eyes were opened to know him.  The language suggests a Divine interposition to open their eyes.  No sooner had they recognized him than he vanished out of their sight.  His disappearance was miraculous.  They were surprised at themselves, so slow to recognize the Lord, for only he could have set their hearts on fire (Psa.38:4) like this.  (Better to have heart burn, than heart failure).  They made no delay in returning to Jerusalem and communicating the good news to the apostles.

           

The reference to Simon, is obscure in verse 34.  Was Peter the unnamed companion?  The Lord may have informed them of the appearance to Peter.  One ancient tradition, is that James the Lord's brother, was the unnamed companion.  See 1.Cor.15:7.

           

The appearance in Jerusalem.  24:36-49.   While Cleophas and his companion are still speaking of these things, the Lord became visible in their midst.  The Lord calms their fear by proving the reality of his appearance.  He proves that it is himself, risen bodily, by showing his hands and his feet.  He continues to give further proof of the reality of the resurrection of the body, by eating in their presence.  He then explains to them that this was the plan and work of God.  He taught then these things during his ministry among them, how that all things must be fulfilled which are contained in the scriptures.

           

The Old Testament are mentioned according to the Jewish division - the Law, the prophets and the writings  ('Kethubim').   The first book of the Kethubim was the Psalms, hence the 3.rd. division of the Old Testament was often called the Psalms.

           

From verse 45-49, the Lord sums up all that he had taught them, especially during the resurrection appearances.  The summary consisted of the following points:

  *   That the Messiah must suffer was foretold by the scriptures.

  *   The scriptures also foretold that the Gospel was for all nations.

  *   The disciples must wait the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit was the promise of the Father.  This may refer to Joel 2.  As possessors of the Holy Spirit, they would become his accredited witnesses to all nations.

           

The ascension.  24:50-53.   This was the consummation of his death and resurrection.  The Greek implies that the ascension took place just before Bethany is reached.  Bethany was probably on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives.