Luke 24:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

NIV: but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.

NASB: and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.

CSB: and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.

NLT: They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive!

KJV: 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.

NKJV: When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.

Earlier this morning, a group of women went to Jesus' tomb. They gathered spices to cover His body, though they didn't know how they would get the job done. His tomb had been covered with a larger stone (Mark 16:1–3).

When they arrived, however, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. Mary Magdalene ran off to tell Peter and John (John 20:1–2). The others looked inside. Over the course of the next few minutes, they found themselves speaking with two angels. One of the angels said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise" (Luke 24:5–7).

The angels then told them to tell the male disciples.

The women suddenly remembered that Jesus had said He would die and rise again three days later (Luke 24:8). Not knowing whether to be terrified or elated, they left to tell the men. As they went, Jesus found them. They worshiped Him, and He reiterated the instructions to tell the men (Matthew 28:7–10).

When the women reached the room where the men were hiding, Cleopas was there. He heard the women's story but couldn't understand it. He and a friend decided to go to the village of Emmaus and spent their walk discussing what they'd experienced. When a stranger asked what they were talking about, Cleopas told Him. He won't realize until later, when they sit at dinner, that this stranger is Jesus.

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.