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Luke 24 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. ²They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. ⁵As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: ⁷‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ ” ⁸Then they remembered His words. ⁹And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. ¹⁰It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. ¹²Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. ¹³That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. ¹⁶But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. ¹⁷He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. ¹⁸One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?” ¹⁹“What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. ²⁰Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him. ²¹But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place. ²²Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, ²³but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. ²⁴Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.” ²⁵Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. ²⁸As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. ²⁹But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. ³⁰While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight. ³²They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ³³And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, gathered together ³⁴and saying, “The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. ³⁶While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ³⁷But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit. ³⁸“Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” ⁴⁰And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. ⁴¹While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴²So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³and He took it and ate it in front of them. ⁴⁴Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” ⁴⁵Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” ⁵⁰When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. ⁵¹While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³praising God continually in the temple.

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Luke

Luke 24

The Resurrection Dawn and the Promise of Empowered Witness

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Objective

To reveal the triumphant resurrection of Christ, the opening of Scripture’s fulfillment, the commissioning of the disciples, and the promise of the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence.

Overview

Luke 24 unfolds the climactic events of the resurrection morning: the empty tomb, the bewilderment and faith of the women and disciples, the journey to Emmaus with the risen Christ opening the Scriptures, Jesus’ appearance to the gathered apostles, His reassurance of bodily resurrection, the explanation of fulfilled prophecy, the commissioning to proclaim repentance and forgiveness, the promise of the Father’s gift, and the ascension into heaven. This chapter anchors the Christian hope in the risen Lord and the ongoing mission empowered by the Spirit.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

At dawn on the first day of the week, the women who had prepared spices come to the tomb, only to find the stone rolled away and the body of Jesus missing. Their perplexity deepens as two radiant men remind them that Jesus foretold His suffering, death, and resurrection on the third day. Remembering His words, they hasten to tell the apostles, though their report is met with disbelief. Peter runs to the tomb, finds the linen cloths, and departs amazed, wrestling with the unfolding mystery.

Central Themes

The reality of the resurrection

fulfillment of Jesus’ predictions

initial unbelief and wonder

witness of women as first proclaimers.

Cultural & Historical Context

Women’s testimony was often undervalued in first-century Jewish culture, yet here they are the first witnesses, affirming the historicity of the resurrection. The empty tomb counters any claim of body theft or deception. The stone rolled away symbolizes divine victory over death.

Key Verse

Luke 24:6

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Empty Tomb and the First Witnesses

A dim dawn light breaking over a garden tomb with the heavy stone rolled aside. Women stand in awe and trembling, their faces a mixture of fear and hope. Two radiant figures in gleaming white garments shine with heavenly light, their presence both comforting and commanding. The empty grave speaks silently of victory over death.

The Road to Emmaus: Eyes Opened by Scripture and Communion

A dusty road stretching toward a distant village under a fading sun. Two figures walk with bowed heads, their conversation heavy with sorrow. A third figure walks alongside, radiant yet unseen. At a humble table, bread is broken; suddenly, light floods the scene as eyes open in recognition, hearts aflame with revelation.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples: Peace, Proof, and Commission

A small room with gathered disciples startled by the sudden presence of Jesus. His hands and feet bear the marks of crucifixion, yet His face shines with peace. He eats fish before them, bridging the divine and human. Around them, the atmosphere pulses with the promise of mission and the coming Spirit, as Jesus ascends in a radiant cloud.

Song

Luke 24 Song

Verse 1

At dawn they came with spices in hand, To the tomb where He was lain, But the stone was rolled, the body gone, And angels spoke of risen Son.

Verse 2

On Emmaus road, hearts burned within, As He opened Scripture’s sacred hymn, Breaking bread, their eyes were bright, The risen Lord revealed in light.

Chorus

He is not here, He lives again, The Savior risen, conquering sin, From death to life, the promise sure, Our hope, our peace forevermore.

Bridge

Peace be unto you, fear no more, See My hands and feet, the scars I bore, Eat and believe, the Word fulfilled, Repentance preached, the nations willed.

Final Chorus

He is not here, He lives again, The Savior risen, conquering sin, Ascended high, the Spirit sent, Empowered witnesses, heaven’s intent.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Embrace the resurrection as the foundation of your faith and hope beyond death.

Seek to have your eyes opened by Scripture and communion with Christ daily.

Receive Christ’s peace amid fear and uncertainty, trusting His bodily risen presence.

Community & Society

Encourage one another with the testimony of the resurrection and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Gather regularly to break bread and open Scripture together, fostering spiritual insight and unity.

Commit as a community to proclaim repentance and forgiveness, embodying the mission Jesus entrusted.

Global Perspective

Pray and participate in the global mission to spread the gospel of Christ’s resurrection and salvation.

Support the sending and empowering of witnesses through the Holy Spirit to all nations.

Live as ambassadors of the risen Lord, demonstrating peace, hope, and reconciliation in a broken world.

Conclusion

Luke 24 stands as the radiant dawn of Christian faith: the empty tomb proclaims Jesus’ victory over death; the journey to Emmaus reveals the fulfillment of Scripture and the intimate presence of the risen Lord; His appearance to the disciples confirms bodily resurrection, commissions the church, and promises the empowering Spirit. This chapter calls believers to live as witnesses of the resurrection, bearing peace and proclaiming repentance and forgiveness to all nations until Christ returns.