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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 24:1 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:1 recounts the events on the morning of the first day of the week, which by Jewish reckoning begins at sunset on what we call Saturday.

This was after the Sabbath day had ended, and it describes the women who had been followers of Jesus coming to His tomb early in the morning.

They brought with them the spices they had prepared for proper burial rites, intending to anoint Jesus' body as was the custom in their culture.

This verse sets the stage for the discovery that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, as the tomb is found empty.

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Historical Context

The historical context of this verse is the ancient Jewish tradition of burial.

According to Jewish custom, bodies were anointed with spices as a sign of respect and to counteract the smell of decay.

The visit to the tomb by the women follows the Passover and the Sabbath, occurring on what Christians now celebrate as Easter Sunday.

Luke's reference to "the first day of the week" is synonymous with the day after the Jewish Sabbath, indicating the time frame of the events described.

Theological Insights

This verse serves as a critical moment in Christian theology because it marks the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy of His own resurrection.

From a Christian standpoint, it illustrates the faithfulness of Jesus' followers and the new beginning denoted by the "first day." Various theological viewpoints might emphasize the sacrificial love shown by the women, the power of God in raising Jesus from the dead, or the transformative nature of the resurrection itself for the foundation of Christian faith.

Practical Applications

In a contemporary context, one might apply the teachings of Luke 24:1 by emulating the dedication and care that the women showed, striving to act with love and respect towards others in their moments of need or grief.

It might also inspire believers to approach each new day with a sense of purpose and renewal, given the association with the resurrection and a new era in Christian faith.

Cross-References

Mark 16:2 – "And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."
Matthew 28:1 – "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."
John 20:1 – "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre."

Language Study

Two key phrases in the original Greek are relevant.

"The first day of the week," in Greek, is "τῇ δε μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων" (tē de mia tōn sabbatōn), indicating the first day after the Sabbath.

"Very early in the morning," in Greek, is "ὄρθρου βαθέος" (orthrou batheos), which can be literally translated as "deep dawn," implying it was still quite early, perhaps right before or as the sun was beginning to rise.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The act of anointing the dead with spices has parallels in other ancient cultures, such as the Egyptian practice of embalming and mummification which also involved the use of spices and ointments.

In this context, the verse highlights the Jewish customs that were contemporary to the time of Jesus and shows how these practices intersect with a broader human concern with honoring the dead.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understanding of bodily decay might shed light on the practical aspects of anointing the body with spices, as this acts to slow down the decomposition process and mask odors.

However, the concept of resurrection itself falls outside the realm of scientific explanation as it is considered a miraculous event within the realm of faith and theology.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians comment on this verse as the precursor to the resurrection narrative, noting the faithfulness of the women and their role as the first witnesses to the empty tomb.

Some, like John Calvin, emphasize the dedication the women showed by coming to the tomb, which illustrates a lesson on the persistence of faith. Others may focus on how this event confirms Jesus' predictions of his resurrection and symbolizes the new life offered through Christ.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:1 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 24:1 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?