Lucas 24

1 Y el primero de los sábados, muy de mañana, vinieron al monumento, trayendo las drogas aromáticas que habían aparejado, y algunas otras mujeres con ellas.

2 Y hallaron la piedra revuelta de la puerta del sepulcro.

3 Y entrando, no hallaron el cuerpo del Señor Jesús.

4 Y aconteció, que estando ellas espantadas de esto, he aquí se pararon junto a ellas dos varones con vestiduras resplandecientes;

5 y como tuviesen ellas temor, y bajasen el rostro a tierra, les dijeron: ¿Por qué buscáis entre los muertos al que vive?

6 No está aquí, mas ha resucitado; acordaos de lo que os habló, cuando aún estaba en Galilea,

7 diciendo: Es necesario que el Hijo del hombre sea entregado en manos de hombres pecadores, y que sea colgado en un madero, y resucite al tercer día.

8 Entonces ellas se acordaron de sus palabras,

9 y volviendo del sepulcro, dieron nuevas de todas estas cosas a los once, y a todos los demás.

10 Y eran María Magdalena, y Juana, y María madre de Jacobo, y las demás que estaban con ellas, las que dijeron estas cosas a los apóstoles.

11 Mas a ellos les parecía como locura las palabras de ellas, y no las creyeron.

12 Pero levantándose Pedro, corrió al sepulcro; y cuando miró dentro, vio sólo los lienzos allí echados; y se fue maravillado entre sí de lo que había sucedido.

13 Y he aquí, dos de ellos iban el mismo día a una aldea que estaba de Jerusalén sesenta estadios, llamada Emaús.

14 E iban hablando entre sí de todas aquellas cosas que habían acaecido.

15 Y aconteció que yendo en comunión entre sí, y preguntándose el uno al otro, el mismo Jesús se llegó, e iba con ellos juntamente.

16 Mas los ojos de ellos eran detenidos, para que no le conociesen.

17 Y les dijo: ¿Qué pláticas son éstas que tratáis entre vosotros andando, y estáis tristes?

18 Y respondiendo el uno, que se llamaba Cleofas, le dijo: ¿Tú solo peregrino eres en Jerusalén, y no has sabido las cosas que en ella han acontecido estos días?

19 Entonces él les dijo: ¿Qué cosas ? Y ellos le dijeron: De Jesús Nazareno, el cual fue varón profeta, poderoso en obra y en palabra delante de Dios y de todo el pueblo;

20 y cómo le entregaron los príncipes de los sacerdotes y nuestros príncipes a condenación de muerte, y le colgaron de un madero.

21 Pero nosotros esperábamos que él era el que había de redimir a Israel; y ahora sobre todo esto, hoy es el tercer día que esto ha acontecido.

22 Aunque también unas mujeres de los nuestros nos han espantado, las cuales antes del día fueron al sepulcro;

23 y no hallando su cuerpo, vinieron diciendo que también habían visto visión de ángeles, los cuales dijeron que él vive.

24 Y fueron algunos de los nuestros al sepulcro, y hallaron así como las mujeres habían dicho; más a él no le vieron.

25 Entonces él les dijo: ¡Oh insensatos, y tardos de corazón para creer todo lo que los profetas han dicho!

26 ¿No era necesario que el Cristo padeciera estas cosas, y que entrara (así) en su gloria?

27 Y comenzando desde Moisés, y de todos los profetas, les declaraba esto en todas las Escrituras que eran de él.

28 Y llegaron a la aldea a donde iban; y él hizo como que iba más lejos.

29 Mas ellos le detuvieron por fuerza, diciendo: Quédate con nosotros, porque se hace tarde, y el día ya ha declinado. Y entró con ellos.

30 Y aconteció, que estando sentado con ellos a la mesa , tomando el pan, bendijo, y partió, y les dio.

31 Entonces fueron abiertos los ojos de ellos, y le conocieron; mas él se desapareció de los ojos de ellos.

32 Y decían el uno al otro: ¿No ardía nuestro corazón en nosotros, mientras nos hablaba en el camino, y cuando nos abría las Escrituras?

33 Y levantándose en la misma hora, tornáronse a Jerusalén, y hallaron a los once reunidos, y a los que estaban con ellos.

34 Que decían: Ha resucitado el Señor verdaderamente, y ha aparecido a Simón.

35 Entonces ellos contaban las cosas que les habían acontecido en el camino, y cómo había sido conocido de ellos en el partir el pan.

36 Y entre tanto que ellos hablaban estas cosas, Jesús se puso en medio de ellos, y les dijo: Paz sea a vosotros.

37 Entonces ellos espantados y asombrados, pensaban que veían algún espíritu.

38 Mas él les dice: ¿Por qué estáis turbados, y suben pensamientos a vuestros corazones?

39 Mirad mis manos y mis pies, que yo mismo soy; palpad, y ved; que un espíritu no tiene carne ni huesos, como veis que yo tengo.

40 Y diciendo esto, les mostró las manos y los pies.

41 Y no creyéndolo aún ellos de gozo, y maravillados, les dijo: ¿Tenéis aquí algo de comer?

42 Entonces ellos le presentaron parte de un pez asado, y un panal de miel.

43 Lo cual él tomó, y comió delante de ellos.

44 Y les dijo: Estas son las palabras que os hablé, estando aún con vosotros: que era necesario que se cumpliesen todas las cosas que están escritas de mí en la ley de Moisés, y en los profetas, y en los salmos.

45 Entonces les abrió el sentido, para que entendiesen las Escrituras;

46 y les dijo: Así está escrito, y así fue necesario que el Cristo padeciese, y resucitase de los muertos al tercer día;

47 y que se predicase en su nombre el arrepentimiento y la remisión de pecados en todas las naciones, comenzando desde Jerusalén.

48 Y vosotros sois testigos de estas cosas.

49 Y he aquí, yo enviaré al Prometido de mi Padre sobre vosotros; mas vosotros asentad en la ciudad de Jerusalén, hasta que seáis investidos de potencia de lo alto.

50 Y los sacó fuera hasta Betania, y alzando sus manos, los bendijo.

51 Y aconteció que bendiciéndolos, se fue de ellos; y era llevado arriba al cielo.

52 Y ellos, después de haberle adorado, se volvieron a Jerusalén con gran gozo;

53 y estaban siempre en el Templo, alabando y bendiciendo a Dios. Amén.

Lucas 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

The resurrection of Christ. (1-12) He appears to two disciples on the way to Emmaus. (13-27) And makes himself known to them. (28-35) Christ appears to the other disciples. (36-49) His ascension. (50-53)

Verses 1-12 See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather to find their Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring not any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words, and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder that these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die, and rise again, and then enter into his glory, who had seen him more than once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his raising himself. But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken. Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He was amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly understood the words of Christ.

Verses 13-27 This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have. No matter how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering it, that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though Christ is entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as far as they are made known in the Scriptures, we should not be subject to the perplexities we often entangle ourselves in. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself. There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, which it is of great advantage to put together. We cannot go far in any part, but we meet with something that has reference to Christ, some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to know the mystery concerning himself, not by advancing new notions, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled, and turning them to the earnest study of it.

Verses 28-35 If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with him, cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection, with the same manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. They had found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them to each other.

Verses 36-49 Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the disciples of his peace, though they had so lately forsaken him, and promising spiritual peace with every blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet our minds, rise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which rise in our hearts at any time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are displeasing to him. He spake with them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing had passed but what was foretold by the prophets, and necessary for the salvation of sinners. And now all men should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance, in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings were to be sought for, by faith in the name of Jesus. Christ by his Spirit works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have their understandings opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ, there needs no more than to be made to understand the Scriptures.

Verses 50-53 Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. There was the garden in which his sufferings began; there he was in his agony. Those that would go to heaven, must ascend thither from the house of sufferings and sorrows. The disciples did not see him rise out of the grave; his resurrection could be proved by their seeing him alive afterwards: but they saw him ascend into heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of his ascension. He lifted up his hands, and blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure, but in love, he left a blessing behind him. As he arose, so he ascended, by his own power. They worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from them fresh acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The glory of Christ is the joy of all true believers, even while they are here in this world. While waiting for God's promises, we must go forth to meet them with our praises. And nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost. Fears are silenced, sorrows sweetened and allayed, and hopes kept up. And this is the ground of a Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; yea, the Father's throne is the throne of grace to us, because it is also the throne of our Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let us rely on his promises, and plead them. Let us attend his ordinances, praise and bless God for his mercies, set our affections on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness. Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.