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Luke 24

Now 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.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

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

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

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

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

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

And they remembered his words,

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

It 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.

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

Then 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.

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

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

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

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

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

And 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 therein these days?

And 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:

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

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.

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

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

And 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Behold 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.

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

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

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

And he took it, and did eat before them.

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.

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

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

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

And ye are witnesses of these things.

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.

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

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

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

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

What does Luke 24:25 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:25 is a direct quote from Jesus addressing two of his followers on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection.

The verse captures a moment of admonishment and teaching. Jesus calls the two disciples "fools," not in a demeaning sense but to highlight their lack of understanding and quickness to doubt.

"Slow of heart to believe" implies a reluctance or hesitancy on their part to fully embrace the testimonies of the prophets regarding the Messiah.

The deeper meaning is a call to deeper faith and understanding, pointing out that the events that transpired with Jesus were in fulfillment of the prophecies.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

This verse is set in the immediate aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, a period of confusion and uncertainty among his followers.

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were discussing the recent events, trying to make sense of them.

At the time of this encounter, Jesus had not been recognized by these followers.

Their discussion and the subsequent revelation that occurs are significant as they underscore the fulfillment of prophecy and the reality of Jesus' resurrection.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse emphasizes the importance of understanding and believing in the prophecies of the Old Testament as they relate to the mission and identity of Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

It challenges readers to have faith in the entirety of God's revelation, not just the parts that are easily comprehensible or visible.

Practical Applications

On a practical level, Luke 24:25 encourages individuals to trust in the fullness of God's word, not losing faith when circumstances seem to contradict what has been promised.

It is a reminder to study scriptures thoroughly and to ask for divine guidance in understanding them.

Additionally, it can be seen as a call to be patient with one's own faith journey and with others who may be "slow of heart" to believe.

Cross-References

Luke 24:32: "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?"
Isaiah 53:3-5: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief...

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities..."

John 20:27: "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text are:

"Fools" (ἄνοητοι, anoētoi): meaning without understanding or sense.
"Slow" (βραδύς, bradys): meaning tardy or dull.
"Heart" (καρδία, kardia): often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent the inner self, including one's thoughts, will, and emotions.
"Believe" (πιστεύω, pisteuō): to have faith in, trust, with the implication that actions based on that trust may follow.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In contrast with ancient myths that often depict the divine as capricious or unconcerned with human affairs, this verse shows a personal God who desires belief based on understanding and fulfillment of prophetic revelation.

It also contrasts with religious interpretations that see the divine as entirely unknowable or accessible only through esoteric knowledge.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific ideas, it touches on cognitive and psychological aspects of how individuals process belief and doubt.

Modern cognitive psychology might analyze the cognitive dissonance the disciples experienced and the process of their coming to belief as they correlated their lived experience with their knowledge of scripture.

commentaries

Commentators often reflect on this verse by discussing the patience and instructional approach of Jesus.

John Calvin emphasized the "gentle reproof" Jesus gives to rekindle the faith of the disciples.

Matthew Henry highlights Jesus' role in opening the scriptures to elucidate the necessity of his suffering and is often noted to use this encounter as a template for understanding divine revelation through scripture.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 24:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?