Luke 24:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"

NIV: While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

NASB: Now while they were telling these things, Jesus Himself suddenly stood in their midst and *said to them, 'Peace be to you.'

CSB: As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, "Peace to you!"

NLT: And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. 'Peace be with you,' he said.

KJV: And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

NKJV: Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”

The evidence that Jesus has risen from the dead comes in waves. First, the women discover His grave is empty (Luke 24:1–3). Next, Mary Magdalene bears witness to the empty tomb for Peter and John (John 20:1–2). Peter and John find the empty tomb (John 20:4–10). Mary and the other women meet Jesus (John 20:11–17; Matthew 28:9–10). The women tell the men (John 20:18; Luke 24:9–10). Two disciples meet Jesus while traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–32). Peter meets Jesus (Luke 24:34). The three men bear witness to the others (Luke 24:35).

The larger group of apostles and disciples are in a room in Jerusalem. The doors are locked because they're afraid of the religious leaders who delivered Jesus over to be crucified (John 20:19). Jesus suddenly appears and greets them with peace.

Despite all the warnings and witnesses, the group is "startled and frightened." They think Jesus is a spirit (Luke 24:37). Jesus patiently allows them to see His scars from the crucifixion and touch His body. He even eats fish to prove He's real (Luke 24:38–43).

Even so, it takes time for the disciples to accept that He's really risen and He is the Christ. When He gives the Great Commission in Galilee, "they worshiped him, but some doubted" (Matthew 28:17). The continued delay in the coming of His kingdom is something they'll struggle with until they are indwelt with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6–7).

Luke 24:36–43 explains how Jesus reveals Himself to a group of His male disciples. He's already met with the women (Matthew 28:9–10), Peter (Luke 24:34), and two men traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–31). While the men are discussing these events, Jesus appears in the room. Some think He's a ghost, but He shows them the wounds on His hands and feet and eats some fish to prove He has resurrected. John 20:19–29 adds that Thomas isn't present so Jesus returns later.

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.