PrevLuke 24:53

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 24:53 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:53 is the closing verse of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It provides a brief account of the behavior of the disciples following Jesus' ascension into heaven.

The verse signifies that the disciples were consistently present in the temple in Jerusalem, actively engaged in worshipping and blessing God.

This expression of continual praise and worship suggests a transformation in their understanding and experience of their relationship with God post-resurrection and ascension.

The word "Amen" at the end of the verse signifies assent or agreement and serves as a traditional closing to a book or letter, as well as a conclusion to prayers and hymns.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of Luke is believed to have been written around 60-90 AD, during a time when the early Christian community was expanding and facing various challenges, including persecution and the need for solidifying its teachings and traditions.

Luke is one of the synoptic gospels, and the author is traditionally identified as Luke the Evangelist, a companion of the apostle Paul.

The temple mentioned in the verse refers to the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which was the center of Jewish worship until its destruction in 70 AD.

The continual presence of the disciples in the temple after Jesus' ascension reflects an important period in the early church where Jewish and Christian practices had not yet fully diverged.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse encapsulates several key themes:

Resurrection Faith: The disciples' praise is a response to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, affirming their belief in his victory over death and his divine nature.
Early Christian Worship: Their activities in the temple provide insight into how early Christians continued to engage in Jewish traditions while beginning to form their own identity.
Community and Continuity: The verse indicates a sense of community among the disciples and a continuation of worship, unlike the uncertainty they displayed earlier in the Gospel narrative.

Different denominations may emphasize this verse differently. For instance, Catholic and Orthodox traditions may view it as support for the practice of liturgy and continuous prayer, while Protestant interpretations might highlight the personal transformation and joy of the believers.

Practical Applications

Luke 24:53 suggests that Christian life should be characterized by continual worship and an active relationship with God. The following applications can be derived from the verse:

Consistent Worship: The disciples' regular presence in the temple can inspire believers to maintain consistent involvement in their own places of worship and communities of faith.
Joyful Praise: As the disciples praised God joyfully, this verse calls Christians to approach their relationship with God with an attitude of gratitude and celebration.
Community Engagement: The communal aspect of the disciples' worship can encourage Christians to seek fellowship and to build up their local church community.

Cross-References

Acts 2:46-47: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Hebrews 13:15: "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Language Study

The key words in this verse from the original Greek are:

"En te hiero" (in the temple): Hiero refers to the holy place or the temple itself, indicating the sacred space where they gathered.
"Ainein" (praising): This verb implies to praise, commend, or laud.

In the context of religious worship, it conveys the act of expressing honor and glory to God.

"Eulogountes" (blessing): Derived from the Greek word "eulogeo," the term means to speak well of, to bless, or to invoke divine favor.

These words emphasize the sacredness, reverence, and gratitude inherent in the disciples' actions.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient religions, temples were common as centers for worship and sacrifice.

The Jewish Second Temple was unique in that it was believed to be the dwelling place of God's presence among his people.

The early Christian engagement in temple worship, as described in Luke 24:53, differed from pagan practices in that it was monotheistic and centered on praising a risen Messiah.

Comparatively, other ancient religions such as those in Greco-Roman traditions also gathered in temples, but their practices involved multiple deities, and their worship often included making offerings to gain favor with these gods.

Scientific Perspectives

While there may not be direct scientific implications in this specific verse, the psychological and sociological benefits of communal religious practices are well-documented. Engaging in group worship and ritual has been shown to foster a sense of belonging, community, and individual well-being.

However, the historical existence of the temple and the practices within it are subjects of archaeological and historical study, providing physical evidence of the religious and cultural life in ancient Jerusalem.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer diverse interpretations of this verse:

Matthew Henry Commentary: Emphasizes the joy and devotion of the disciples, and suggests their actions as an example for all Christians to emulate.
Benson Commentary: Notes that the behavior of the disciples was in contrast to their previous despondency and fear before the resurrection, highlighting a transformed boldness and confidence.
Expositor's Greek Testament: Focuses on the linguistic and cultural nuances of the text, explaining the significance of temple worship for the disciples and their Jewish-Christian identity.

Each commentary unfolds unique aspects of Luke 24:53, contributing to a richer understanding of its meaning and implications for the early Christian community and for believers today.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:53 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 24:53 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?