Notes on Luke 24:36-53

Luke 24:36

Jesus exercised his divine power freely after his resurrection (see notes on Phil 2:6-8). This included his ability appear and disappear quickly among his people (v. 15, 31; John 20, 19, 26). Peace. Jesus calmed their fear of enemies (John 20:19) and perhaps his own disappointment (22:31-34; Matt. 26:56). The disciples did not need to fear because Jesus was with them.

Luke 24:38

Jesus gently rebuked them for being surprised by his resurrection. He had promised it would happen (9:22; Matt. 12:39-40; 16:21; John 2:18-22; Acts 2:31).

Luke 24:39-40

Jesus appealed to their senses. He wanted them to see that he was not merely a spirit, but resurrected with a physical body (1 John 1:1-4). hands . . . feet. These parts of Jesus' body would have born scars from his crucifixion (see note on 23:21). Further proof that he was really alive (John 20:25, 27). See WCF 2.1; 29.6; WLC 52; BC 19.

Luke 24:41

joy . . . amazed. They were still astonished that Jesus really was alive. The news was almost too good to be true.

Luke 24:42-43

Jesus appealed to their senses. He wanted them to see that he was not merely a spirit, but resurrected with a physical body (1 John 1:1-4).

Luke 24:44

Moses . . . prophets . . . Psalms. A way to summarize all of the Old Testament scriptures. fulfilled. See note on v. 27; Matt. 5:17. See WCF 1.3.

Luke 24:45

Jesus gave them insight to see the gospel from the Old Testament scriptures. God's word would be the basis of their preaching Christ to the nations (v. 47). See WLC 145.

Luke 24:46

A summary of the gospel, foreshadowed and promised in the Old Testament, and fulfilled in Christ (9:22, 44; 17:25; 18:32; 1 Cor. 15:1-8).

Luke 24:47

Repentance and forgiveness. See note on 3:3. preached. The offer of salvation in Christ and the call to believe must be proclaimed (Rom. 10:5-17). nations. That is, the Gentile (non-Jewish) peoples of the world (see note on Acts 1:8). See WCF 15.1.

Luke 24:48

witnesses. The unique ministry of the apostles and early disciples. They saw first-hand the ministry, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This gave them authority to proclaim salvation in Christ (Acts 2:32, 40; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39) and become the foundation of the church Christ would build (Eph. 2:20).

Luke 24:49

Jesus empowered his followers for their mission to bear witness to the gospel among the nations (v. 47-48; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). This power came from his own Spirit, poured out on his people (3:16; John 16:7; see note on Acts 1:8).

Jesus' Ascension - Luke 24:50-53

Luke ended his Gospel similarly to its beginning. In the opening chapter he wrote about a priest serving in the temple, waiting for the consolation of Israel that would come in the Christ. At the end, Luke recounted the fulfillment of Israel's consolation and the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ as the witnesses of these things gather together in the temple. At the beginning, readers see the faithful in awe of God's work after hundreds of years of silence. At the end of Luke's gospel, readers see the people of God in temple, rejoicing and giving thanks at the finished work of the Savior, ready to take the gospel to Israel and the nations under Jesus' lordship.

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