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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 24:41 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:41 describes a poignant moment where Jesus, after His resurrection, appears to His disciples. The disciples are overwhelmed with a mix of disbelief and joy. Jesus asks them for food, which serves to demonstrate His physical resurrection body and to alleviate their doubts.

The phrase "believed not for joy" suggests a state of shock or overwhelming emotion that prevents them from fully grasping the reality of the situation. Jesus asking for food is a way for Him to show He is not a ghost or vision, as spirits do not have need for physical sustenance.

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Historical Context

This verse is set in the context of Jewish Palestine, likely in or near Jerusalem, shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus.

It was a time of political tension and religious expectation. The disciples were Jews who expected a Messiah to deliver Israel.

The concept of a Messiah dying and then being resurrected was not commonly held, and the disciples themselves were struggling to understand what had occurred. The followers of Jesus were in hiding, fearful of persecution by the Roman authorities and Jewish religious leaders.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives offer various insights into this verse:

Traditional Christian theology views this verse as evidence of Jesus' bodily resurrection, which is a cornerstone of Christian belief.
Calvinist or Reformed theology might emphasize the sovereignty of God in the resurrection and the inscrutability of His ways.
Liberation theology could interpret Jesus' invitation to share food as an act of community and solidarity with the oppressed.
Feminist theology might highlight the significance of Jesus appearing to and interacting with both male and female disciples in Luke's broader resurrection narrative.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life in several ways:

It encourages individuals to seek tangible experiences and evidence in their faith journey.
It serves as a reminder to maintain joyful hope even when circumstances are difficult to believe.
It suggests the importance of community and sharing with others as a way to confirm and celebrate significant events.

Cross-References

John 20:19-20: "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."
John 21:12-13: "Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.

And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise."

Acts 10:41: "Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek language of this verse include:

"Believed not" (ἀπιστέω - apisteo): to disbelieve, doubt, or be unfaithful.
"For joy" (χαρὰ - chara): joy, gladness.
"Wondered" (θαυμάζω - thaumazo): to marvel, wonder, be amazed.
"Meat" (βρῶσις - brosis): food, act of eating, here referring likely to fish or broiled meat.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, gods and heroes sometimes ate with mortals as an act of fellowship or confirmation of their physical nature. For example, in Greek mythology, the gods occasionally dined with humans.

However, the idea of a god or divine being eating after returning from the dead would be unique and sets the Christian narrative apart from other ancient myths.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the resurrection is a supernatural event that falls outside the bounds of normal empirical investigation.

Modern science operates on the principle that phenomena are repeatable and observable, which does not apply to one-time historical events like the resurrection.

However, the psychological state of the disciples, one of disbelief combined with joy, is a recognized human reaction to extraordinary or unexpected events.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes that the disciples' disbelief was mixed with joy and wonder because they could hardly believe for the pleasure; they wanted nothing to convince them but to be sure it was not too good to be true.
The Pulpit Commentary explains that the evangelist (Luke) was careful to give this simple touching detail of the Lord insisting on the little meal of fish to show his friends the reality of his resurrection body.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible points out that the disciples, being overcome with amazement and doubting from the suddenness and unexpectedness of Jesus' appearance, were challenged by Jesus to understand that a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as they could witness in his physical form before them.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:41 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 24:41 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?