Luke 24:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,

NIV: They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together

NASB: And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,

CSB: That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together,

NLT: And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them,

KJV: And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

NKJV: So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,

The two disciples mentioned in this passage woke believing Jesus—their rabbi and the man they believed to be the Christ—was dead and buried. Gradually, they learned more. The tomb was empty. Angels said He'd risen from the grave. The Jewish Scriptures prophesied the Christ would suffer like He did. Jesus is alive (Luke 24:1–31)!

It's getting late, but they can't stay. They walk back to Jerusalem, to the room where Jesus' disciples are staying—probably hiding (John 20:19)—to tell them the news. Judas is gone, of course, but the other eleven are there, along with several others. They had heard the same account from the women about the tomb and the angels. They had heard Peter and John give their own report about the empty grave. Their friends need to know that Jesus really is alive.

When the two men arrive, however, they can't even get their story out. Immediately, the crowd inside exclaims, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" (Luke 24:34). Peter has seen Jesus, too (1 Corinthians 15:5).

Luke mentions the "eleven." That term doesn't mean all eleven remaining primary disciples are present. Like Mark uses "the Twelve" to refer to the group no matter how many apostles are present, Luke is using "eleven." Elsewhere Luke will explain that Judas is not there because he killed himself (Acts 1:18–19). But Thomas isn't there, either. He will arrive after Jesus leaves. He won't believe the account of the witnesses, so Jesus will come eight days later, for him. This whole week demonstrates Jesus' gracious accommodation when our faith is weak (John 20:24–29).

Luke 24:28–35 describes how the two men traveling to Emmaus finally recognize Jesus. They had been discussing Jesus' death when Jesus, keeping His identity hidden, asked what they were talking about. They told Him, and He explained how the events fit with the Old Testament, both the Torah and the Prophets (Luke 24:13–27). When they invite Him to eat, He breaks the bread and they realize it's Him. Jesus disappears and the two return to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. It turns out, Peter has seen Jesus, too. Only Luke authentically records the interaction between Jesus and the two disciples.

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.