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Summary

Luke 24:1–12 – The Resurrection Discovery

What happens:
At dawn on the first day of the week, women who had come from Galilee find the stone rolled away from the tomb. They enter and do not find the body. Two men in dazzling clothes tell them Jesus has risen. They remember his words, return to tell the apostles, but their account is dismissed as an idle tale. Peter runs to the tomb, sees the linen cloths, and goes home amazed at what has happened.

What it means:
God’s victory over death is confirmed by the empty tomb and angelic proclamation. Initial disbelief gives way to awe as evidence compels recognition that Jesus truly rose, fulfilling his promise and Scripture.


Luke 24:13–35 – The Road to Emmaus

What happens:
Two disciples travel to Emmaus, discussing recent events when Jesus himself draws near and walks with them, though they are kept from recognizing him. He explains from Moses and all the Prophets how the Messiah must suffer and then enter his glory. At their destination, they invite him to stay; as he breaks bread, their eyes are opened and they recognize him, but he vanishes. They return at once to Jerusalem to report to the Eleven.

What it means:
Jesus illuminates Scripture, showing that his suffering and resurrection were foretold. Recognition in the breaking of bread reveals his ongoing presence with his followers and calls them to spread the good news immediately.


Luke 24:36–49 – Jesus Appears to the Disciples

What happens:
While the disciples are gathered, Jesus stands among them, greets them with peace, and shows his hands and feet. They rejoice but still question their eyes. He eats a piece of broiled fish to prove he is not a spirit. He opens their minds to understand Scripture, teaching that repentance and forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed in his name to all nations, starting from Jerusalem. He promises they will be clothed with power from on high.

What it means:
Jesus’ bodily resurrection establishes the reality of new life. His teaching ties his death and resurrection to the fulfillment of Scripture and entrusts disciples with the mission of proclaiming the gospel empowered by the Holy Spirit.


Luke 24:50–53 – The Ascension

What happens:
Jesus leads the disciples to Bethany, lifts up his hands to bless them, and is carried up into heaven. They worship him and return to Jerusalem with great joy, continually in the temple praising God.

What it means:
Jesus’ ascension marks the completion of his earthly ministry and the beginning of his exalted reign. The disciples’ joyful worship and return to prayer signify their readiness to live under his lordship and await the promised Spirit.


Application

  • Recognize and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope
  • Let Scripture, illuminated by Christ, guide your understanding of his mission and your calling
  • Embrace the peace and presence of the risen Lord in your daily life and share it with others
  • Proclaim repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ name, trusting the Spirit’s power for witness
  • Live in joyful worship and anticipation of Christ’s ongoing reign and promised return

Bible

1Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8And they remembered his words,

9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21But 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.

22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

29But 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.

30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32And 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?

33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

40And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

43And he took it, and did eat before them.

44And 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.

45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48And ye are witnesses of these things.

49And, 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.

50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

53And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

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