Luke 24:52 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

NIV: Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

NASB: And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

CSB: After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

NLT: So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.

KJV: And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

NKJV: And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

Jesus has ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51). The Holy Spirit has not yet come, but Jesus' followers have faith He will. And they know Jesus will return (Acts 1:11).

The larger group of disciples return to Jerusalem, to the temple. The temple is built on the site of David's tabernacle (2 Samuel 6:17). Jesus is the Messiah, the heir of David who will rule Israel. He's also God the Son. It's appropriate they go to the temple and praise God for fulfilling His promises to His people (Luke 24:53).

The nature of the move is significant. Forty days before, a large group of Jesus' followers were in a room in Jerusalem with the doors locked, afraid the Pharisees, scribes, elders, and chief priests would find them (John 20:19). Now, they boldly walk into the city—to the very territory of the priests. Soon, they will find themselves in a similar—if not the same—room on Pentecost. Luke describes what happens there: "And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:2–4).

After they receive the Holy Spirit, their boldness will grow. Peter and John will turn a healing into a proclamation about Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 3). Despite persecution and even beatings by the priests, the apostles will continue to return to the temple Mount to heal and preach Christ resurrected (Acts 5:12–42).

Luke 24:50–53 is the first of two times Luke records Jesus' ascension. Acts 1:6–11 gives more detail. It has been forty days since the crucifixion. Christ must return to heaven so the Holy Spirit can indwell His followers and they can build the church. He takes the disciples to Bethany where they watch Him ascend into the heavens. The disciples return to Jerusalem. There, they replace Judas and praise God in the temple until the Holy Spirit comes ten days 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.