Luke 24:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"

NIV: And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"

NASB: While they still could not believe it because of their joy and astonishment, He said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?'

CSB: But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"

NLT: Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, 'Do you have anything here to eat?'

KJV: And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat

NKJV: But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”

To see a man brutalized by beating and scourging, impaled on a cross until He dies in agony, then stabbed through the chest makes it difficult to believe He could come back to life. This is one reason many who knew Jesus did not recognize Him after His resurrection. It was hard to believe, even when multiple people claimed they saw Him, and even when He appears in the room like the door isn't locked (John 20:19).

That's the case for some of Jesus' disciples. Jesus patiently lets them see the scars on His hands and feet, touch Him to prove He's not a spirit. These disciples don't believe quite yet: their minds haven't caught up with their emotions. But at least their terror has turned to joy (Luke 24:36–40).

To further prove that He is real, Jesus asks for something to eat. Spirits don't eat. Furthermore, spirits don't practice the fellowship that occurs at meals. Earlier this night, Jesus revealed Himself to two disciples by breaking bread. When He invited them into the relationship that a meal creates, their eyes were opened and they realized it was Him (Luke 24:30).

Jesus will do this again, in Galilee. When seven disciples, including Peter and John, are fishing, He'll build a fire and prepare fish for their breakfast. Having invited Peter to His table, He'll then invite Peter into a reconciliation of their relationship (John 21:1–17).

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.