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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 24:47 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:47 is a pivotal verse that occurs in the closing chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

It is part of Jesus Christ's final instructions to His disciples after His resurrection and before His ascension into heaven.

The verse highlights the central message of Christianity: the necessity of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and the universal scope of the gospel message, which is to be preached to all nations, starting from Jerusalem.

"Repentance" implies a turning away from sin and turning towards God, while "remission" means the forgiveness or pardoning of sins.

The verse underscores that both these themes are integral to the Christian faith and should be proclaimed as part of Jesus' own authority ("in his name").

This prescribes the mission for the disciples and sets the stage for the evangelistic efforts that unfold in the Acts of the Apostles and throughout Christian history.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Luke 24:47 was composed during a time when early Christians were expanding the mission of the church beyond the Jewish community to include Gentiles.

Written by Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, the Gospel of Luke reflects an understanding of Jesus's ministry as having universal significance.

The reference to "all nations" and "beginning at Jerusalem" reflects the historical reality that Christianity had its roots in Judaism and Jerusalem but was rapidly expanding beyond these origins.

The verse captures a moment of transition from the earthly ministry of Jesus to the church's mission, and the disciples are seen as the bridge connecting Jesus' work to the further spread of the gospel.

The timing of the writing is crucial as well; it is thought to have been written before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 A.D., a time of great change and expectation in the Judeo-Christian world.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints bring various insights into Luke 24:47.

From a traditional Christian perspective, it encapsulates the Great Commission, which is the command to take the message of Jesus Christ to every corner of the world.

There's also a Christocentric emphasis, which teaches that forgiveness of sins is directly linked to Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection.

Covenant theology sees this verse as a fulfillment of the promises made to Israel, which are now being extended to the Gentiles.

Dispensationalists might emphasize the transitional nature of this commandment, highlighting the shift from an Israel-focused ministry to a global church.

Liberation theologians may stress the societal implications of repentance and forgiveness, interpreting it as a call for broad systemic change that aligns with divine justice.

Practical Applications

Practically, Luke 24:47 encourages contemporary Christians to prioritize sharing the message of repentance and redemption. This can take the form of personal evangelism, social justice efforts, mission work, or other forms of advocacy and service.

Additionally, it suggests that the work of Christians should begin in their local contexts, as in "beginning at Jerusalem," but also have a global awareness and reach.

In personal spiritual practice, this verse invites believers to continually embrace repentance as a way of life and reminds them that forgiveness is available through Jesus.

It also calls churches to be inclusive communities where all nations and peoples are welcomed and can hear the Gospel message.

Cross-References

Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Mark 16:15: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Amen."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words carry essential meaning:

"Repentance" (μετάνοια, metanoia): a change of mind, to think differently after a moral reflection, leading to regret for past sins and commitment to a new path.
"Remission" (ἄφεσις, aphesis): forgiveness or release from bondage or imprisonment, often used in the context of sin.
"Preached" (κηρυχθῆναι, kerychtēnai): to herald or proclaim, usually with a sense of authority and public declaration.
"Nations" (ἔθνει, ethnei): typically used for Gentiles or non-Jewish people, indicating the intended audience for the gospel extends beyond the Jewish community.

A deep understanding of these original terms reveals the depth and transformative nature of the Christian message.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of repentance and forgiveness is not unique to Christianity and can be found in various cultural and religious contexts. In Judaism, the concept of "teshuva" closely resembles repentance.

Many ancient myths, like those found in Greek or Egyptian religions, also involve themes of moral reflection and transformation, although they may not directly align with the Christian concept of forgiveness through a divine savior.

The comparison allows for a broader appreciation of the universal longing for redemption and restoration within human cultures and the particularity of its expression in the Christian faith.

Scientific Perspectives

While scientific perspectives typically do not directly engage with theological concepts such as repentance and forgiveness, psychology provides some insights into the human need for and benefits of such practices.

Psychological research has shown that practices like confessing wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness can be beneficial for mental health, social harmony, and personal well-being.

Furthermore, the idea of a message spreading from a point of origin to encompass all nations could be compared to modern understandings of communication theory and the diffusion of innovations.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentators have provided insights into Luke 24:47:

Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that the disciples were witnesses of these things and entrusted with the message of salvation to preach to the world.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible emphasizes that the remission of sins is only through Christ's blood, and it must be preached in his name to all sorts of people.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges highlights the sequence: first the fact of the resurrection, then the understanding of the Scripture, followed by repentance, and lastly the remission of sins.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary mentions the significance of the message beginning in Jerusalem as it is Jesus' own city and the starting point for the worldwide witness of the disciples.

These commentaries offer a range of traditional and scholarly approaches to understanding Luke 24:47 within the Christian tradition.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:47 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 24:47 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?