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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 24:39 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:39 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the Gospel according to Luke, where the resurrected Jesus appears to His disciples and offers proof of His physical resurrection.

The disciples, shocked and frightened, initially mistake Him for a spirit.

In response, Jesus shows them His hands and feet, bearing the wounds from His crucifixion, and invites them to touch Him and see for themselves that He is indeed alive in a physical body, not just a spirit.

The deeper meaning touches on the reality of the resurrection, the affirmation of Jesus' humanity and suffering, and the evidence of His victory over death.

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Historical Context

Luke 24:39 is situated within the post-Resurrection narrative when Jesus appears to His disciples after His crucifixion.

The Gospels were written in a context where various groups, including the Sadducees, denied the possibility of resurrection.

In the cultural and historical context of Judea under Roman occupation, the idea of a physical resurrection was a powerful testimony to the early Christian belief that Jesus was the Messiah, who triumphed over death, not just spiritually, but bodily.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse supports the doctrine of bodily resurrection, which holds that the body and soul are both integral and will be reunited in the final resurrection at the end of times.

It also challenges dualistic beliefs that devalue the physical in favor of the spiritual.

From other viewpoints, such as a metaphorical interpretation, the insistence on physicality may represent the authenticity and the tangible impact of Jesus' teachings.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Luke 24:39 can encourage individuals to acknowledge the reality of their embodied experiences as significant and holy rather than disregarding the material world.

It also serves as a reminder that faith can include doubt and questioning, and that belief doesn't exclude the need for tangible experiences or evidence.

Cross-References

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."
1 John 1:1 - "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life."
John 2:19-21 - "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up...

He spake of the temple of his body."

Language Study

"Behold" (Greek: ἴδετε, idete): An imperative suggesting close observation or attention.
"Hands" and "Feet" (Greek: χεῖρας and πόδας, cheiras and podas): These terms denote the physical, corporeal nature of Christ's resurrection.
"Flesh and Bones" (Greek: σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα, sarka kai ostea): The phrase is used to emphasize the tangible, corporeal presence as opposed to a purely spiritual or ghostly apparition.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing with other ancient myths, the concept of gods or heroes overcoming death is a recurring theme, such as in the tales of Osiris or Dionysus.

However, these often emphasized a spiritual or mystical resurrection, whereas the Gospel accounts accentuate the physicality of Jesus's resurrection as unique.

In religious contexts, the resurrection of the flesh is primarily a Christian concept, differing from reincarnation in Eastern religions or the afterlife beliefs of Ancient Egyptians.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the concept of resurrection challenges our understanding of life and death, as current biological knowledge states that once bodily functions cease, revival is not possible after a certain point.

However, from a scientific perspective, the account in Luke cannot be verified or falsified, as it is considered a miraculous event beyond the scope of natural laws.

Commentaries

Various experts and biblical scholars have commented on this verse highlighting its significance for understanding the nature of Jesus' resurrection.

Some, like theologian N.T.

Wright, argue that it provides evidence against the idea that the disciples were hallucinating or that Jesus was a ghost.

Others, like scholar Raymond E.

Brown, have noted that this physical demonstration reassured the disciples and helped them understand the continuity between the pre-crucifixion Jesus and the resurrected Christ.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:39 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 24:39 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?