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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 24:26 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 24:26 comes from a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, during which He converses with two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus.

They do not recognize Him at first, and they are discussing the recent events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion.

Jesus uses this verse to explain that the Messiah was prophesied to suffer before entering into His glory.

This reflects a common theme in Christian theology where suffering precedes glory and resurrection follows crucifixion.

The verse emphasizes the necessity of the crucifixion for the fulfillment of Scripture and the establishment of Jesus' messianic role.

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Historical Context

Luke 24:26 is found in the Gospel of Luke, which is believed to have been written around 80-110 AD.

It was a time when the early Christian community sought to understand the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection in the light of Jewish prophecy and the scriptures we now call the Old Testament.

The audience of Luke's Gospel, primarily Gentile Christians also with a significant Jewish component, would have grappled with understanding how Jesus' life and death fit into God's plan, as foretold by the Hebrew prophets.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Luke 24:26 illustrates a few key concepts: 1.

Messianic prophecy fulfillment: Jesus' suffering was not a defeat but a necessary path to glory as prophesied in the Old Testament. 2.

Theodicy: This verse grapples with the question of why a good God allows suffering, proposing that it has a divine purpose and leads to a greater good. 3.

Resurrection theology: The passage leads toward the Christian belief in Jesus’ resurrection as necessary for the salvation of humankind.

Different denominations and theologians may interpret this verse differently; for example, some may focus on the prophetic necessity of suffering, while others may emphasize the post-resurrection appearance as a strengthening of faith.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages believers to find meaning and hope amidst suffering, understanding it as a potential path to greater spiritual development and destiny. It also teaches Christians to view the trials in their lives in the context of their faith, trusting in God’s larger plan.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:3-5: This passage from Isaiah is often cited as a messianic prophecy illustrating the suffering servant- a prefigurement of Christ’s suffering.
Acts 17:3: Paul uses similar arguments as Jesus in Luke 24:26, explaining that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.
1 Peter 1:11: The Apostle Peter reflects on the Spirit of Christ in the prophets, indicating the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
Hebrews 2:10: This verse also speaks to the concept that suffering leads to perfection and glory, especially in the context of Jesus, the pioneer of salvation.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words such as "Christ" (Χριστός, Christos), which means anointed one and is synonymous with the Hebrew "Messiah," and "suffer" (παθεῖν, pathein), implying undergoing experiences, often difficult, convey the Christian belief that the Messiah was expected to endure hardship.

The term "enter" (εἰσελθεῖν, eiselthein) into "his glory" (δόξα, doxa) implies both the resurrection and the ascension, pointing to a state of exaltation and authority.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In examining other religious traditions, this verse could be juxtaposed with concepts of suffering and divine fulfillment found in other myths and religions.

For example, the notion of a suffering deity or hero can be found in various forms in many mythologies, although the significance and outcome differ.

In the context of other Abrahamic faiths, the understanding of messianic expectations in Judaism and the Islamic concept of prophetic suffering stand in contrast to the Christian interpretation.

Scientific Perspectives

While the scientific method does not confirm theological concepts, the principles of cause and effect, as well as the study of psychology around suffering and post-traumatic growth, could provide a framework for understanding why narratives that involve transformation through hardship, such as the one described in Luke 24:26, resonate with people and persist through cultures and time.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 24:26 offer insights on its interpretive significance.

Many highlight the connection to Old Testament prophecies.

For example, the Matthew Henry Commentary emphasizes the fulfillment of prophesies as central to understanding Jesus as the Messiah.

The Pulpit Commentary delves into the recognition of Jesus through His explanation of Scripture and His role in salvation history.

Furthermore, scholars such as N.T. Wright in his works offer a historical and narrative-oriented approach to Jesus' resurrection appearances and their implications for the early Christian belief system.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:26 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 24:26 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?