Luke 24:43 - Printer Friendly

The large group of disciples have heard from several women and three men that Jesus has risen from the dead. But many of them saw Jesus die (Luke 23:49). They witnessed the brutality He suffered. They saw or heard about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11), but how can Jesus raise Himself? When Jesus comes into the room where they are hiding (John 20:19), they still doubt. Jesus graciously gives them the evidence they need.

John is the only other gospel writer who records this night; he doesn't mention Jesus eating fish. It was a tradition in Judaism that spirits can't eat. Although Jesus' glorified body doesn't need sustenance, His disciples do need reassurance. So, after He shows the wounds on His hands and feet and invites the people in the room to touch Him, He asks for something to eat (Luke 24:39–42).

Each gospel writer has a particular message to his readers; even the three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—do not record all the same events between Jesus' resurrection and ascension. On this night, John includes words from Jesus which Luke does not mention.

Jesus tells the disciples, "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" (John 20:21). He then breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit. This is confusing since the Holy Spirit doesn't come to indwell Jesus' followers until about ten days after His ascension (Acts 2:1–4). On this night, the disciples do not receive the permanent indwelling of the Spirit. They seem to receive the filling of the Spirit in the tradition of John the Baptist and the prophets of the Old Testament. This filling is what they need for the coming weeks. It's not known if the doubters of Matthew 28:17 receive the Holy Spirit here.

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.