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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:
AN EMPTY TOMB, APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION

[“Were Not Our Hearts Burning?”]
Key word: Scriptures

Luke 24:1-12 – Women and an Empty Tomb

|| Matthew 28:1-10; 1063 Mark 16:1-11; 1064 John 20:1, 2, 18, 25 1065

1063	Matthew 28:1-10: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

1064	Mark 16:1-11: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

1065	John 20:1, 2, 18, 25: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on John.

LK24:1 Now very early in the morning on the first day of the week 1066 these women came to the memorial tomb bringing their prepared spices.

1066	The week: The Hebrew/Jewish seven-day week is drawn from Genesis chapter one with the Sabbath [Friday sunset to Saturday sunset] the last day of the week. The “first day” would have begun Saturday at sundown.

LK24:2 But, they discovered the stone had been rolled away from the memorial tomb. LK24:3 After they entered 1067 they did not find the body 1068 of the Master Jesus.

1067	After they entered: These tombs are thought to be those reserved by the 70 members of the Sanhedrin and some believe they have been discovered in archaeological digs in Jerusalem. They were carved out of stone and large enough to stand and contain a number of people.

1068	The body: The empty tomb has been a testimony for two thousand years. The only explanation with eyewitness testimony is that Jesus had risen.

LK24:4 And it happened during a moment of indecision 1069 about this – look, two men 1070 in brilliant clothing 1071 stood beside them.

1069	Indecision: Or, perplexed, puzzled, doubt.

1070	Two men: Materialized angels are sometimes called after their appearance and here Luke uses the Greek ANDRES for male persons.

1071	Brilliant clothing: Or, shining garments, raiment like lightning, dazzling robes.

LK24:5 They became frightened and bowed their faces to the ground when the two men said to them: “Why are you seeking the Living One among the dead? LK24:6 [[He is not here, but has been raised up.]] 1072 Remember how he told all of you when you were in Galilee,

1072	LK24:6: Some texts omit this.

LK24:7 ‘It is necessary for the Son of Humankind to be handed over into the hands of sinful persons and then to be impaled and on the third day to rise again.’” LK24:8 Then they remembered the words of Jesus, LK24:9 and after leaving the memorial tomb they reported all these things to the eleven apostles and also to all the other disciples. 1073

1073	Other disciples: This is a very rare association of the word “disciple” with women. Compare the other case in Acts 9:36.

LK24:10 Now these included 1074 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and also the others with them. They told the apostles everything,

1074	Now these included: Possible this includes the names of the key women who went to the tomb. It is noted that Mary the mother of Jesus is not mentioned among them. For details on the individual names see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew, John and Acts.

LK24:11 but all their words seemed like a lot of foolishness 1075 to them and so they did not believe them.

1075	Foolishness: Or, idle tales, nonsense. The testimony of women was not considered valid testimony and this fact is proof that women, indeed, were the first witnesses to the empty tomb. According to John Mary Magdalene had an additional experience with the Risen Lord and also later reported this.

LK24:12 [[However Peter rose and ran to the memorial tomb. He bent forward and saw only the linen wrappings. Then he left wondering what had happened.]] 1076

1076	LK24:12: Some texts omit this verse.

Luke 24:13-35 – Two on the Road to Emmaus

LK24:13 Now, look, two disciples 1077 were on this same day traveling to a village called Emmaus, 1078 which was about sixty stadia from Jerusalem.

1077	Two disciples: One is name Cleopas, and the other is named Simon is used later.

1078	Emmaus: There are several views but some believe this is the same as El-Qubeida 7 miles NW of Jerusalem and in the direction of Galilee.

LK24:14 They were talking to one another about all the things that had occurred. LK24:15 Then it happened while they were talking and discussing these things, Jesus himself approached and began traveling with them. LK24:16 However, their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 1079

1079

Their eyes were kept from recognizing him: Or, not recognize. According to both Mark and John the risen Jesus appeared in different “forms” and was often unrecognizable to those who knew him well. [Mark 16:12; John 21:1] Peter later reports that God granted Jesus to become visible [EMPHANE] to witnesses appointed in advance. [Acts 10:40, 41]

LK24:17 Jesus asked them: “What is this subject that you are talking about as you walk along?” They stopped with a sad look, 1080

1080	Sad look: Or, downcast, gloom, misery.

LK24:18 and one by the name of Cleopas 1081 answered and said, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know about the things that have happened in these past days?”

1081	Cleopas: A masculine form of Cleopatra. Though unnamed elsewhere, it is possible Luke gets his information by an interview with Cleopas.

LK24:19 Jesus asked them: “What things?” And they told him, “The things regarding Jesus the Nazarene, 1082 who was a man, 1083 a prophet 1084 powerful in work and word before The God 1085 and all the people.

1082	Jesus the Nazarene: The designation giving an apparent stranger. [Compare Matthew 2:23]

1083	Who was a man: Some versions omit this, but Luke uses ANER, or male person. It is interesting to note that these two disciples, possibly including Peter, do not think Christ to be God, a god, or a god-man. They use the specific word for a male, a man.

1084	A prophet: The two disciples choose a single word to describe Christ – prophet.

1085	Before The God: Or, literally “in front of The God.” [TOU THEOU] Clearly these disciples do not think Jesus to be God.

LK24:20 He was turned in to our Jewish hierarchy and Temple officials to be condemned to death, and so they impaled him. LK24:21 However, we were hoping he was the man 1086 about to deliver Israel. And among other things this is now the third day since these things all happened.

1086	The man: Or, he. The Greek is HO and infers a male person.

LK24:22 Now also some women among us have surprised 1087 us all. They went to the memorial tomb early today,

1087	Surprised: Or, astonished, disturbed. These two have heard the report of the women.

LK24:23 and they did not find his body and they returned telling us they had seen a vision of angels who told them he was alive. LK24:24 And some of these among us went to the memorial tomb and they found that to be the case, just as the women had also reported. But they did not see him.” LK24:25 Then Jesus said to them: “O senseless ones, 1088 slow in heart to believe in all that was spoken by the prophets.

1088	O senseless ones: Or, fools, dull-witted, sluggish, simpletons, too slow.

LK24:26 Was it not necessary the Christ had to suffer and then enter into his glory?” LK24:27 Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets Jesus explained to them by means of all the Scriptures 1089 everything concerning himself.

1089

Scriptures: Some estimate the specific prophecies regarding Christ to number over 300, others see such allusions to be over 1,000. Judging from Acts many of these verses Jesus might have used are referenced. We note in Acts Peter was the first to do this, indicating also he might have been the other disciple present here.

LK24:28 Now as they drew near to the village of Emmaus, Jesus acted as though he were traveling on. LK24:29 But they used some pressure on him, saying, “Stay with us 1090 because it is near evening and it is late in the day.” So Jesus entered their home to remain with them.

1090	Stay with us: There is a marvelous lesson here regarding love of strangers and hospitality. Compare Hebrews 13:2.

LK24:30 Then as they reclined at table with Jesus it happened that he took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. LK24:31 It was then that their eyes were opened and they began to recognize Jesus. 1091 And he [suddenly] vanished 1092 from their presence.

1091	Recognize Jesus: It is the manner of his prayer and breaking of the bread that they understand it is Christ.

1092	Vanished: Or, became invisible, disappeared. The Greek is APHANTOS, literally meaning un-lit or not illuminated, that is unseen. The Risen Jesus possesses the same ability that angels of the past, the ability to appear and disappear.

LK24:32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts aflame 1093 within us as he was speaking to us on the road – as he kept opening to us the Scriptures?” 1094

1093	Hearts aflame: Or, hearts burn, on fire, burning within.

1094	Scriptures: It was the understanding of the Scriptures that caused their hearts to glow.

LK24:33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem 1095 and found the eleven apostles assembled together with other disciples.

1095	Returned to Jerusalem: The seven miles.

LK24:34 They told them, “The Master has truly risen and he has appeared to Simon!” 1096

1096	He has appeared to Simon: Whether this is the unnamed disciple on the road to Emmaus, or was another appearance to Peter is not clear. There are times in this Gospel when Luke leaves Peter unnamed for his own reasons.

LK24:35 And so they began to explain everything that happened while on the road and how Jesus had revealed himself to them by the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:36-49 – An Appearance among Doubters

LK24:36 Now at the very moment these were talking, Jesus stood in the middle of them [[and then said: “Peace to all of you!”]] 1097

1097	[[And then said: “Peace to all of you!”]]: This is omitted by some.

LK24:37 But they were all terrified and trembled with fright, thinking they were seeing a spirit. 1098

1098	A spirit: Or, ghost, apparition. The Greek is PNEUMA and may be used of breath, wind, angels, or demons.

LK24:38 But Jesus told them: “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts come up in your hearts? LK24:39 All of you look at my hands and my feet. It is me! Touch me and see, 1099 because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 1100

1099	Touch me and see: Compare 1 John 1:1-3.

1100

A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have: Many take this to mean that Christ was raised in a body of flesh and bone. However, a consideration of other straightforward texts such as 1 Corinthians 15:44-50, 2 Corinthians 5:16, and 1 Peter 3:18 indicate Christ was raised as a spirit-being. Given the senselessness, dull hearts, misunderstandings and confusion of the apostles Jesus’ appearance is first meant to prove to them that it is actually him. It seems evident that he does not look like the Jesus they knew; otherwise they would not have these misgivings. Jesus does several things to calm their fears without great explanations to such a slow group. He appears, showing them puncture wounds in hands and feet, eats something form them, and repeats things he had said before. All this is to grab their attention quickly, overcome their fears, and proceed to convince them of his resurrection from the dead.

LK24:40 [[Having said this Jesus showed them his hands and his feet.]] 1101

1101	LK24:40: Some omit this verse.

LK24:41 But while they continued to doubt 1102 they were also filled with joyful amazement. 1103 He told them: “Do you have something to eat?”

1102

They continued to doubt: Despite everything Jesus has done and said here, it seems likely he does not at all look like the man they knew and this gives them great misgivings and mixed emotions. The body in which he died has been consumed like a sacrificial victim destroyed outside of Jerusalem. [Compare Hebrews 13:11, 12.] Similarly the bodies of the Saints are “dissolved” or “destroyed.” [Compare notes on 2 Corinthians 5:1 KJV, CON, NEB]

1103	Joyful amazement: Or, NEB: they were still unconvinced, still wondering, for it seemed too good to be true; KNX: while they were still doubtful, and bewildered with joy.

LK24:42 So they gave him part of some broiled fish, LK24:43 and taking it Jesus ate it in their viewing. 1104

1104	Jesus ate it in their viewing: Evidently this is solely for the purpose of calming them. Jesus eats before his disciples on other occasions. [John 21:13]

LK24:44 Jesus told them: “I spoke to you these words while I was among you, that is was necessary for everything that has been written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms about me had to be fulfilled.” LK24:45 Then Jesus began to open their minds to understand the Scriptures. 1105

1105	To understand the Scriptures: Both now and before his death Jesus always focuses on God’s Word and the gaining of an understanding of the Scriptures.

LK24:46 He told them: “And so it has been written that the Christ was to suffer and then to be resurrected from the dead on the third day. LK24:47 Then repentance for the forgiveness of sins had to be preached to all the non-Jews in his name. Beginning from Jerusalem LK24:48 all of you are to be witnesses of all these things. LK24:49 And, look, I will send the promise of my Father 1106 to all of you. So remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

1106	The promise of my Father: That is, the holy Pneuma called “power” in the next phrase. The promise occurs in Isaiah 44:3 and Joel 2:28, 29.

Luke 24:50-53 – A Blessing at His Ascension

LK24:50 Then Jesus led them all outside as far as Bethany, 1107 and raising his hands he blessed them.

1107	Bethany: The village of Mary, Martha and Lazarus about two miles outside of Jerusalem. Thought to be the present el-`Azariyeh, Arabic for The Place of Lazarus. The little town from which Christ ascended to heaven.

LK24:51 Now it happened while he was blessing them, he moved away from them 1108 [[and was received up into the sky]]. 1109

1108	Moved away from them: Or, parted, left. More information is provided by Luke at Acts 1:9-11.

1109	[[And was received up into the sky]]: Some texts omit this phrase.

LK24:52 And [[after they bowed 1110 with their faces to the ground]] 1111 they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

1110	They bowed: Though some render this “worship” the Greek PROSKYNESANTES literally means “to bow and kiss” and is a respectful gesture practiced to this day in the Middle East.

1111	[[After they bowed with their faces to the ground]]: Some texts omit this phrase.

LK24:53 And they continued blessing The God 1112 in the Temple courtyards.

1112	Blessing The God: Not Jesus. The Greek is TON THEON as it is in John 1:1.

Review Questions on Chapter Twenty-four