Women bring spices to the tomb at dawn on the first day, find the stone rolled away, encounter two men in dazzling apparel who remind them of Jesus' passion predictions, and report to the incredulous apostles, though Peter runs to verify the empty tomb. The risen Jesus walks with two disciples to Emmaus, expounds all the Scriptures concerning Himself from Moses and the Prophets, is recognized in the breaking of bread, and disappears, prompting their return to Jerusalem. Jesus appears to the gathered disciples, shows His hands and feet, eats fish to prove His corporeality, opens their minds to understand Scripture's testimony about the Christ's suffering and resurrection, commissions them as witnesses to all nations beginning from Jerusalem, promises the Spirit's power, blesses them at Bethany, and ascends to heaven.
Read Luke Chapter 24 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
The Savior of all humanity
Virgin mother who treasured God's words in her heart
Physician and careful historian
First Witness of the Resurrection
Follower of Jesus, Witness to the Resurrection
Sister of Martha and Lazarus
Leader of the Jerusalem Church
Apostle, Rock of the Church
Prophet and Lawgiver
Places in This Chapter
Galilee was a region in northern Israel where Jesus grew up and conducted much of His ministry. Jesus called His first disciples here, performed many miracles, and taught large crowds. After His resurrection, Jesus met His disciples in Galilee and commissioned them to make disciples of all nations.
Nazareth is the town in Galilee where Jesus grew up and spent most of his life before his public ministry. It was a small, obscure village in ancient times, which led Nathanael to ask "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary here to announce she would give birth to the Son of God. Jesus was known as "Jesus of Nazareth" throughout his ministry.
Bethany was a village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about 3 kilometers from Jerusalem. It was the home of Jesus' close friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead here, one of his most significant miracles. Jesus often stayed in Bethany during his visits to Jerusalem, and it was from here that he ascended to heaven.
The Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.
Position in Book
Entry, trial, crucifixion, resurrection, Emmaus, ascension.
Bible Bites
Luke Wrote for Gentiles
Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament. A physician by profession, he wrote his Gospel and Acts specifically for a Gentile audience, tracing Jesus' genealogy all the way back to Adam, father of all humanity.
Luke