| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Luke Chapter
Twenty-four
Luke 24
But the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, had prepared everything for the burial of His Son, who had glorified Him
by giving Himself up to death. He is with the rich in His death. Joseph, a just
man, who had not consented to the sin of his people, lays the Lord's body in a
tomb that had never yet been used. It was the preparation before the sabbath;
but the sabbath was near. At the time of His death the women-faithful (though
ignorant) to their affection for Him while living-see where the body is laid,
and go to prepare all that was needed for its embalming. Luke only speaks in
general terms of these women: we shall therefore enter on the details
elsewhere, following our Gospel as it presents itself. The women (chap. 24)
come, find the stone rolled away, and the sepulchre no longer containing the
body of Him whom they had loved. While perplexed at this, they see two angels
near them, who ask why they came to seek the living among the dead, and remind
them of the plain words which Jesus had spoken to them in Galilee. They go and
tell these things to all the disciples, who cannot believe their account; but
Peter runs to the sepulchre, sees everything in order, and departs, wondering
at that which had come to pass. In all this there was no faith in the words of
Jesus, nor in that which the scriptures had spoken. In the journey to Emmaus
the Lord connects the scriptures with all that happened to Himself, shewing to
their minds still lingering round the thought of an earthly kingdom, that
according to these scriptures God's revealed counsels, the Christ ought to
suffer and enter into His glory, a rejected and heavenly Christ. He awakens
that ardent attention which the heart feels whenever it is touched. He then reveals
Himself in breaking bread-the sign of His death: not that this was the
Eucharist, but this particular act was linked with that event. Then their eyes
were opened, and He disappears. It was the true Jesus; but in resurrection.
Here He Himself explained all that the scriptures had spoken, and presented
Himself in life with the symbol of His death. The two disciples return to
Jerusalem.
The Lord had already shewn Himself to Simon-an appearance, of which we
have no details. Paul also mentions it as the first with reference to the
apostles. While the two disciples related that which had happened to them,
Jesus Himself stood in their midst. But their minds were not yet formed to this
truth, and His presence alarms them. They cannot realise the idea of the resurrection
of the body. The Lord uses their confusion (very natural, humanly speaking) for
our blessing, by giving them the most sensible proofs that it was Himself
risen; but Himself, body and soul, the same as before His death. He bids them
touch Him, and He eats before their eyes. [1] It was indeed Himself.
An important thing remained-the basis of true faith: the
words of Christ, and the testimony of scripture. This He sets before them. But
two things were yet required. First, they needed capacity to understand the
word. He opens their understanding therefore, that they might understand the
scriptures, and establishes them as witnesses that were not only able to say, "Thus
it is, for we have seen it"; but "Thus it must needs have been, for
so hath God said in his word"; and the testimony of Christ Himself was
fulfilled in His resurrection.
But now grace was to be preached-Jesus rejected by the
Jews, slain and risen again for the salvation of souls, having made peace, and
bestowing life according to the power of resurrection, the work which cleansed
from sin being accomplished, and pardon already granted in thus bestowing it.
Grace was to be preached among all nations, that is to say, repentance and
pardon to sinners; beginning at that place, with which indeed the patient grace
of God still owned a link, through the intercession of Jesus, but which could
only be reached by sovereign grace, and in which sin the most aggravated
rendered pardon the most necessary, by a testimony which, coming from heaven,
must deal with Jerusalem as it dealt with all. They were to preach repentance
and remission of sins to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. The Jew, a child
of wrath, even as others, must come in on the same ground The testimony had a
higher source, although it was said "to the Jew first."
But, secondly, something more therefore was needed for
the accomplishment of this mission, that is, power. They were to tarry at
Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Jesus would send the
Holy Ghost whom He had promised, of whom the prophets also had spoken.
While blessing His disciples, heaven and heavenly grace characterising
His relationship with them, Jesus was parted from them, and carried up into
heaven; and they returned to Jerusalem with joy.
It will have been remarked that the narrative of Luke is
very general here, and contains the great principles on which the doctrines and
proofs of the resurrection are founded; the unbelief of the natural heart so
graphically painted in the most simple and touching accounts; the disciples'
attachment to their own hopes of the kingdom, and the difficulty with which the
doctrine of the word took possession of their hearts, although, in proportion
to their realisation, their hearts opened to it with joy; the Person of Jesus
risen, still a man, the gracious One they knew; the doctrine of the word; the
understanding of the word bestowed; the power of the Holy Ghost given-all that
belonged to the truth and to the eternal order of things made manifest.
Nevertheless, Jerusalem was still recognised as the first object of grace on
earth according to God's dispensations towards her; yet she was not, even as a
place, the point of contact and connection between Jesus and His disciples. He
does not bless them from Jerusalem, although, in the dealings of God with the
earth, they were to tarry there for the gift of the Holy Ghost; for themselves
and their relationship with Him He leads them out to Bethany. From thence He
had set out to present Himself as King to Jerusalem. It was there that the
resurrection of Lazarus took place; therethat the family, which present the
character of the remnant-attached to His Person, now rejected, with better hopes-in
the most striking manner received Jesus. It was thither He retired when His
testimony to the Jews was ended, that His heart might rest for a few moments
among those whom He loved, who, through grace, loved Him. It was there that He
established the link (as to circumstances) between the remnant attached to His
Person and heaven. From thence He ascends.
Jerusalem is but the public starting-point of their
ministry, as it had been the last scene of His witness. For themselves it was
Bethany and heaven which were connected in the Person of Jesus. From thence was
the testimony to come for Jerusalem herself. This is the more striking when we
compare it with Matthew. There He goes to Galilee, the place of association
with the Jewish remnant, and there is no ascension, and the mission is
exclusively to the nations. It is a carrying out to them, what was then
confined to the Jews and forbidden to be carried further.
NOTE.-In the text I have strictly followed the passage; I
add some developments here, connecting this Gospel with the others.
There are two distinct parts in the sufferings of Christ:
1st, that which He suffered from the efforts of Satan-as man in conflict with
the power of the enemy who has dominion over death, but with the sense of what
it was from God in view,-and this in communion with His Father, presenting His
requests to Him; and 2ndly, that which He suffered to accomplish expiation for
sin, when actually bearing our sins, made sin for us, drinking the cup which
the will of His Father had given Him to drink.
When speaking on the Gospel of John, I shall enter more
on the character of the temptations; but I would notice here, that at the
commencement of His public life the tempter endeavoured to turn Jesus aside by
setting before Him the attractiveness of all that which, as privilege, belonged
to Him, all that might be agreeable to Christ as man, as to which His own will
might work. He was defeated by the perfect obedience of Christ. He would have
Christ, being Son, go out of the place He had taken as servant. Blessed be God
he failed. Christ by simple obedience bound the strong man as to this life, and
then returning in the power of the Spirit into Galilee spoiled his goods.
Putting away sin and bearing our sins was another matter. Satan then departed from
Him for a season. In Gethsemane he returns, using the fear of death to throw
anguish into the heart of the Lord. And He must needs go through death; and
death was not only Satan's power but God's judgment on man, if man was to be
delivered from it, for it was man's portion; and He alone, by going down into
it, could break its chains. He had become man, that man might be delivered and
even glorified. The distress of His soul was complete. "My soul is
exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." Thus His soul was that which the
soul of a man ought to be in the presence of death, when Satan puts forth all
his power in it, with the cup of God's judgment as yet unemptied in it: only He
was perfect in it; it was a part of His perfection put to the test in all that
was possible to man. But with tears and supplications He makes His request to
Him who had power to save Him from death. For the moment, His agony increases:
presenting it to God makes it more acute. This is the case in our own little
conflicts. But thus the thing is settled according to perfection before God.
His soul enters into it with God; He prays more fervently. It is now evident
that this cup-which He puts before His Father's eyes when Satan presents it to
Him as the power of death in His soul-must be drunk. As obedience to His
Father, He takes it in peace. To drink it is but perfect obedience, instead of
being the power of Satan. But it must be drunk in reality; and upon the cross
Jesus, the Saviour of our souls, enters into the second phase of His sufferings.
He goes under death as the judgment of God, the separation of the soul from the
light of His countenance. All that a soul which enjoyed nothing except
communion with God could suffer in being deprived of it, the Lord suffered
according to the perfect measure of the communion which was interrupted. Yet He
gave glory to God-"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises
of Israel." The cup-for I pass over the outrages and insults of men: we
may spare them-the cup was drunk. Who can tell the horrors of that suffering?
The true pains of death, understood as God understands it, felt-according to
the value of His presence-divinely, as by a man who depended on that presence
as man. But all is accomplished; and that which God required in respect to sin
is done-exhausted, and He is glorified as to it: so that He has only to bless
whosoever comes to Him through a Christ who is alive and was dead, and who
lives for ever a man, for ever before God.
The sufferings of Christ in His body (real as they were),
the insults and upbraidings of men, were but the preface of His affliction,
which, by depriving Him as man of all consolation, left Him wholly in the place
of judgment as made sin, to His sufferings [2] in connection with the judgment of sin, when
the God who would have been His full comfort was, as forsaking Him, the source
of sorrow which left all the rest as unfelt and forgotten.
[1]
Nothing can be more touching than the way in which He cultivates their
confidence as that One they had known, the man, still a true man (though with a
spiritual body) as He had been before! Handle me and see that it is I myself.
Blessed be God, for ever a man, the same who has been known in living love in
the midst of our weakness.
[2]
Psalm 22 is His appeal to God from the violence and wickedness of man to find
Himself there forsaken and only sin in His sight, but perfect there. Christ
suffered all from man-hostility, unrighteousness, desertion, denial, betrayal,
and then, as trusting in god, forsaking. But what a spectacle, the one
righteous Man who did put His trust in Him to have to declare, at the end of
His life, openly to all, He was forsaken of God!
── John Darby《Synopsis of Luke》
Luke 24
Chapter Contents
The resurrection of Christ. (1-12) He appears to two
disciples on the way to Emmaus. (13-27) And makes himself known to them.
(28-35) Christ appears to the other disciples. (36-49) His ascension. (50-53)
Commentary on Luke 24:1-12
(Read Luke 24:1-12)
See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ,
after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone
rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about
that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather
to find their Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining
garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by
his own power. These angels from heaven bring not any new gospel, but remind
the women of Christ's words, and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder
that these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true
Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die, and rise again, and then
enter into his glory, who had seen him more than once raise the dead, yet
should be so backward to believe his raising himself. But all our mistakes in
religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken.
Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He was
amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be
plain and profitable, if we rightly understood the words of Christ.
Commentary on Luke 24:13-27
(Read Luke 24:13-27)
This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to
Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the
disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they
may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up
each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in
work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek
Christ, shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after
him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have.
No matter how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering it,
that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are
often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the
weakness of their faith, they cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though
Christ is entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of
his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in
Jerusalem, that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have
the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our
Lord Jesus reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of
the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as far as they are
made known in the Scriptures, we should not be subject to the perplexities we
often entangle ourselves in. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were
really the appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to
which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses, the first
inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things
concerning himself. There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures
concerning Christ, which it is of great advantage to put together. We cannot go
far in any part, but we meet with something that has reference to Christ, some
prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of
gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. Christ is the
best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to
know the mystery concerning himself, not by advancing new notions, but by
showing how the Scripture was fulfilled, and turning them to the earnest study
of it.
Commentary on Luke 24:28-35
(Read Luke 24:28-35)
If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest
with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with
him, cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and
brake, and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection,
with the same manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave
a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself
known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets
them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in
breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of
their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when
we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. They had found the preaching
powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of
Christ, will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most
good, which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty
of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know what he has done for
their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their
experiences, and tell them to each other.
Commentary on Luke 24:36-49
(Read Luke 24:36-49)
Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the
disciples of his peace, though they had so lately forsaken him, and promising
spiritual peace with every blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet
our minds, rise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which
rise in our hearts at any time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are
displeasing to him. He spake with them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing
had passed but what was foretold by the prophets, and necessary for the
salvation of sinners. And now all men should be taught the nature and necessity
of repentance, in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings
were to be sought for, by faith in the name of Jesus. Christ by his Spirit
works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have their understandings
opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ, there needs no more than
to be made to understand the Scriptures.
Commentary on Luke 24:50-53
(Read Luke 24:50-53)
Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives.
There was the garden in which his sufferings began; there he was in his agony.
Those that would go to heaven, must ascend thither from the house of sufferings
and sorrows. The disciples did not see him rise out of the grave; his
resurrection could be proved by their seeing him alive afterwards: but they saw
him ascend into heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of his ascension.
He lifted up his hands, and blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure,
but in love, he left a blessing behind him. As he arose, so he ascended, by his
own power. They worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from
them fresh acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The glory
of Christ is the joy of all true believers, even while they are here in this
world. While waiting for God's promises, we must go forth to meet them with our
praises. And nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost.
Fears are silenced, sorrows sweetened and allayed, and hopes kept up. And this
is the ground of a Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; yea, the
Father's throne is the throne of grace to us, because it is also the throne of
our Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let us rely on his promises, and plead them. Let us
attend his ordinances, praise and bless God for his mercies, set our affections
on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness.
Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Luke》
Luke 24
Verse 4
[4] And
it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood
by them in shining garments:
Behold two —
Angels in the form of men. Mary had seen them a little before. They had
disappeared on these women's coming to the sepulchre, but now appeared again.
St. Matthew and Mark mention only one of them, appearing like a young man.
Verse 6
[6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was
yet in Galilee,
Remember how he spake to you, saying, The Son
of man must be delivered — This is only a repetition of the words
which our Lord had spoken to them before his passion But it is observable, he
never styles himself the Son of man after his resurrection.
Verse 13
[13] And,
behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was
from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Verse 21
[21] But
we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside
all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
To-day is the third day — The day he should have risen again, if at all.
Verse 25
[25] Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the
prophets have spoken:
O foolish —
Not understanding the designs and works of God: And slow of heart - Unready to
believe what the prophets have so largely spoken.
Verse 26
[26]
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Ought not Christ — If
he would redeem man, and fulfil the prophecies concerning him, to have suffered
these things? - These very sufferings which occasion your doubts, are the
proofs of his being the Messiah.
And to enter into his glory — Which could be done no other way.
Verse 28
[28] And
they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he
would have gone further.
He made as though he would go farther — Walking forward, as if he was going on; and he would have done it, had
they not pressed him to stay.
Verse 29
[29] But
they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the
day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
They constrained him — By their importunate entreaties.
Verse 30
[30] And
it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it,
and brake, and gave to them.
He took the bread, and blessed, and brake — Just in the same manner as when ho instituted his last supper.
Verse 31
[31] And
their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Their eyes were opened — That is, the supernatural cloud was removed: And he vanished - Went away
insensibly.
Verse 32
[32] And
they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked
with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Did not our heart burn within us — Did not we feel an unusual warmth of love! Was not our heart burning,
etc.
Verse 33
[33] And
they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven
gathered together, and them that were with them,
The same hour —
Late as it was.
Verse 34
[34]
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
The Lord hath appeared to Simon — Before he was seen of the twelve apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:5. He had, in his wonderful
condescension and grace, taken an opportunity on the former part of that day
(though where, or in what manner, is not recorded) to show himself to Peter,
that he might early relieve his distresses and fears, on account of having so
shamefully denied his Master.
Verse 35
[35] And
they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in
breaking of bread.
In the breaking of bread — The Lord's Supper.
Verse 36
[36] And
as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto
them, Peace be unto you.
Jesus stood in the midst of them — It was just as easy to his Divine power to open a door undiscernibly, as
it was to come in at a door opened by some other hand. Mark 16:14,19; John 20:19.
Verse 40
[40] And
when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
He showed them his hands and his feet — That they might either see or feel the prints of the nails.
Verse 41
[41] And
while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye
here any meat?
While they believed not for joy — They did in some sense believe: otherwise they would not have rejoiced.
But their excess of joy prevented a clear, rational belief.
Verse 43
[43] And
he took it, and did eat before them.
He took it and ate before them — Not that he had any need of food; but to give them still farther
evidence.
Verse 44
[44] And
he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet
with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of
Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
And he said — On
the day of his ascension.
In the law, and the prophets, and the psalms — The prophecies as well as types, relating to the Messiah, are contained
either in the books of Moses (usually called the law) in the Psalms, or in the
writings of the prophets; little being said directly concerning him in the
historical books.
Verse 45
[45] Then
opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Then opened he their understanding, to understand
the Scriptures — He had explained them before to the two as
they went to Emmaus. But still they Understood them not, till he took off the
veil from their hearts, by the illumination of his Spirit.
Verse 47
[47] And
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Beginning at Jerusalem — This was appointed most graciously and wisely: graciously, as it
encouraged the, greatest sinners to repent, when they saw that even the
murderers of Christ were not excepted from mercy: and wisely, as hereby
Christianity was more abundantly attested; the facts being published first on
the very spot where they happened.
Verse 49
[49] And,
behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Behold I send the promise — Emphatically so called; the Holy Ghost.
Verse 50
[50] And
he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed
them.
He led them out as far as Bethany — Not the town, but the district: to the mount of Olives, Acts 1:12, which stood within the boundaries of
Bethany.
Verse 51
[51] And
it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up
into heaven.
And while he was blessing them, he was parted
from them — It was much more proper that our Lord
should ascend into heaven, than that he should rise from the dead, in the sight
of the apostles. For his resurrection was proved when they saw him alive after
his passion: but they could not see him in heaven while they continued on
earth.
── John ‘Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Luke》
Chapter 24. Enter Glory
Jesus Walks
with Them
Expound the Scriptures
I. Jesus Rises
in Glory
II. Jesus
Appears in Glory
III. Jesus
Ascends in Glory
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》