Luke 24:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"

NIV: and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

NASB: saying, 'The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon!'

CSB: who said, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"

NLT: who said, 'The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter. '

KJV: Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

NKJV: saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

Cleopas and his companion had quite a day. After hearing that Jesus' grave was empty and angels told the women that Jesus had risen from the dead, they didn't know what to think. They left the room in Jerusalem where the large group of disciples were staying and began to walk towards Emmaus (Luke 24:1–13).

Along the way, they met a man who listened to their story, then showed them how what Jesus had experienced matched exactly with Old Testament prophecy. They reached Emmaus and invited this traveler to stay—only then realizing it was Jesus. The moment their eyes were opened, Jesus disappeared. Despite the late hour, Cleopas and his friend returned to Jerusalem (Luke 24:15–33).

Surely, the disciples will be happy to hear their account. This isn't an "idle tale" (Luke 24:11). They're two men: authoritative witnesses under the Mosaic law. But they barely get through the door before they realize their news is not new. Simon has seen Jesus, too.

There is some confusion about who says this and who "Simon" is. Some think that Cleopas is talking and Simon is his yet-unnamed companion. But the people in the room are saying Peter saw Jesus. We have no other details except for 1 Corinthians 15:5 when Paul says Jesus appeared to "Cephas"—his name for Peter—before He appeared to the apostles which happens moments after Cleopas and his friend enter the room (Luke 24:36).

"The Lord has risen indeed" is translated, "It is true! The Lord has risen" in the NIV. The inference is that prior testimony has turned out to be accurate. That testimony would be that of Mary Magdalene (John 20:14–18) and the other women (Matthew 28:9–10).

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.