Luke 24:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

NIV: They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.

NASB: And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.

CSB: Together they were discussing everything that had taken place.

NLT: As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.

KJV: And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

NKJV: And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

Two men, disciples of Jesus, finally have the chance to leave Jerusalem. They had come for the Passover and stayed when the Romans crucified Jesus thanks to the Jewish Sanhedrin's manipulations. The men, as well as several other disciples, hid in a locked room for fear of the Jewish leaders. Now that the Sabbath is over and the sun has risen, they can leave (Luke 24:13; John 20:19).

As they travel, they discuss what they've witnessed. They thought Jesus was the Messiah who was going to save Israel from the Romans—bring back God's favor to His chosen people. To watch Him hang from a cross was both confusing and horrific. His power to heal and His wise words were proof that He had come from God. How could He be destroyed by the leaders of the people He'd come to save (Luke 24:19–20)?

But then, that morning, the women disciples went to the tomb and found it empty. Where's His body? Who stole it? What did the women mean when they claimed angels appeared and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead? And then Peter and John went to the tomb and found it empty, as well (Luke 24:21–24; John 20:1–10).

The two men can't make sense of it. Jesus raised people from the dead, but He was crucified. How could He come back to life?

Luke 24:13–27 contains a meeting between Jesus and two disciples, along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They don't recognize Him. Yet He lets them explain what they've experienced the last three days. When they finish, He points out their foolishness and shows them how the crucifixion and resurrection were prophesied in the Old Testament. When they invite Jesus for a meal, He reveals Himself and disappears. The two men return to Jerusalem to tell the larger group of disciples (Luke 24:28–35). Mark 16:12–13 gives a synopsis, but are likely not part of the original manuscript of Mark.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.