Bible Study series: Luke 24:1-12. This changes the entire universe because from it will flow new creation and even new, resurrected bodies for the redeemed who will live in new creation.
Friendly greetings and a warm welcome to this Bible study! I write to learn, so let’s learn together.
I also translate to learn. The translations are mine, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please click here:
In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Luke 24:1-12
1 On the first day of the week, while it was very early, the women went to the tomb, carrying the perfumed ointment which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. 3 As they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened. While they were perplexed about this, look! Two men wearing gleaming clothes stood by them. 5 As the women were very afraid and bowed with their faces to the ground, the men said, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but he has been raised! Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be betrayed to the hands of sinful men and be crucified and rise on the third day.” 8 Then they remembered his words.
9 So they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, mother of James, and the other women with them were saying these things to the apostles, 11 and these words seemed like nonsense to them. They did not believe the women.
12 Then Peter got up, ran to the tomb, stooped and saw the linen cloth by itself. And he went home, amazed at what happened. (Luke 24:1-12)
Comments:
in his commentary on Acts, Craig Keener produces a table showing the similarities between the aftermath of the resurrection (Luke) and ascension (Acts):
|
Luke 24:4-9 |
Acts 1:10-12 |
| Two men in dazzling clothes (v. 4) | Two men in white robes (1:10) |
| Question: Why do you look for the living among the dead (v. 5b) | Why do you stand looking up toward heaven (v. 12) |
| Explanation of Jesus’s absence: He is not here, but has risen (5c). | Explanation of Jesus’s absence: This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come (v. 11) |
| They returned to Jerusalem (v. 9). | They returned to Jerusalem (v. 12). |
| Craig Keener, Acts, New Cambridge Bible Commentary (Cambridge UP, 2020), p. 111 | |
You can make of the table what you will. It is clear, though, that Luke has a plan to overlap some themes and elements.
1:
The first evangelists are the women. Let’s look at their stories and compare them to those of the men.
No doubt these marvelous and committed and respectful and kind women did not sleep for the entire night. Maybe they dozed off, for a few minutes, but they did not nap for long. They went to the tomb very early in the morning. The first day of the week was Sunday.
Let’s work out the duration. He was crucified on Friday. In v. 7, Jesus is reported to have said that he would rise on the third day. “The first day of the week” was in fact on the third day. So he spent part of Friday, all day Saturday, and part of Sunday in the tomb. Friday—Saturday—Sunday—three days. He did not say three days of twenty-four hours each, a grand total of seventy-two hours.
Someone could object that Jonah spent three day and three nights in the belly of the fish (1:17), seventy-two hours, and Jesus referred to this miraculous incident, also saying three days and three nights (Matt. 12:40). In reply, however, in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus refers to Jonah but never mentions the three days and three nights (11:30, 32), so this omission now opens the door to other nonprecise interpretations. In Luke 9:22, he says he would rise on the third day, without saying seventy-two hours exactly. He did not say, “Count the hours, and if they do not add up to seventy-two hours, then ignore my resurrection!” Back in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus was simply making the general point that he was a sign to this generation as Jonah was to his, when Jesus spent time in the heart of the earth. Such a demand for precision would have been distracting and beside the point, as Jesus was speaking to the teachers of the law and the Pharisees who were demanding a sign, probably like the ones Moses performed. Jesus replied that the only sign this evil generation would get is that of Jonah in the fish. It was the acceptable rhetoric of a teacher, not the speech of a mathematician. When ultra-literalists interpret stories, they too often go wrong. Today, anyone requiring seventy-two hours precisely is also missing the point of Jesus’s rising on the third day and especially the victory that it offers.
How do I prove that “three days and three nights” can be partial, from the OT and elsewhere? First, in 1 Sam. 30:12 (literally “today three days”), the day before yesterday. Second, in Esther, a period described as “three days and three nights” (4:16) is concluded on the third day (5:1). (Thanks, R. T. France, p. 491, fn. 12!). Third, Jesus says he will rise on the third day (Matt. 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 27:64, and in Mark and Luke). Those verses in the Gospels where he quotes Jonah 1:17 and here where he says “on the third day” prove that he did not over-interpret Jonah, for the prophet was merely a sign and type. Jesus believed that three days and three nights could be partial. Fourth, even Paul said, “on the third day, according to the Scriptures”, that is, the OT (1 Cor. 15:4). So Paul must be using a semitic inclusive day out of three days of 72 hours. The days are partial.
Go to biblegateway.com and search the words “third day.” It is amazing how many significant hits there are. Important, transitional things happened on the third day, in Israel’s history.
2-3:
The covering of a large tomb was a thick stone disk rolled in front of the opening. It was big enough for the women to go inside, but I don’t imagine that they stood up straight. Who knows, however? Joseph of Arimathea, who provided the tomb, was rich, so he may have purchased a big tomb. Such details, however, are not important to the thrust of the story. Let’s move on.
Luke records his reverence for Jesus. He called him “the Lord Jesus.” This tell me he had encountered the risen Jesus, if only by being born again. They key to anyone’s life is to make him the Lord of one’s heart and soul and body and confess him as Lord, as Luke does here. Well done, Dr. Luke. I love your respect and devotion. Jesus is risen still to this day, and your Gospel launched the message.
4:
Understandably the women were perplexed or bewildered or baffled by all of this (all three words can be used to translate the verb). They carried out their plan and brought their perfumed ointment in an earthenware jar, but it wasn’t needed. I noted in the last chapter that their efforts showed their respect, but the burial preparation also revealed their lack of faith. They did not factor in the resurrection, just as Jesus had predicted. Such is the plight of humanity. People mean well, but they often miss the target. But at least let’s give the women partial credit for caring enough about their Lord to prepare the perfumed ointment.
If you don’t like the “look!” translation, which is literal, for it replaces the older “behold!” then just use “unexpectedly” or “suddenly” instead. It carries the rhetorical force of telling the reader to “pay attention!” or “wow!” or “look at what’s happening now!”
The fact that there are two angels may refer to the requirement for a double witness (Deut. 19:15). But the answer to whether there were one or two is the same when these differences crop up: Matthew and Mark just focus on one, while Luke knew the tradition handed down that said two. He could have trimmed it to one, but chose not to, probably for the reason I just stated.
13. Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
There are a massive number of agreements. Focus on them. And don’t let your faith be brittle. A Difference ≠ A Contradiction
5:
I really like this verse. Renewalists believe that angels appear today, just like they did back in biblical times. God is the Lord, we are not. He can work miracles as he sees fit. He will accomplish his plans, and in this case the angels were a messenger to tell them of the resurrection. The women bowed with their faces to the ground out of respect and awe or reverential fear. People who really see angels have similar reactions. People who are casual at the first encounter are not reliable. After they recover from the sense of awe, they can then listen respectfully.
Here is a multi-part study of angels in the area of systematic theology, but first, here is a summary list of the basics:
Angels:
(a) Are messengers (in Hebrew mal’ak and in Greek angelos);
(b) Are created spirit beings;
(c) Have a beginning at their creation (not eternal);
(d) Have a beginning, but they are immortal (deathless).
(e) Have moral judgment;
(f) Have a certain measure of free will;
(g) Have high intelligence;
(h) Do not have physical bodies;
(i) But can manifest with immortal bodies before humans;
(j) They can show the emotion of joy.
Angels: Their Duties and Missions
Angels: Their Names and Ranks and Heavenly Existence
Angels: Their Origins, Abilities, and Nature
Deut. 19:15 says that every fact should be established by two or three witnesses, so the double angelic witness may refer to this idea, though Luke does not specify. Note how he has several women evangelists—three named—and the “rest” or the “others” with them. There is credibility in numbers. There is no doubt that Luke held a special place for women. We need to draw far-reaching lessons from these honorable mentions. Luke could have omitted many of their stories.
6:
This is the climax of the entire Gospel so far: “He is not here! He is risen!” Wow. When I first read those words in Greek, I really felt something special and awe inspiring. I had to slow down because Koinē (first-century, common) Greek is not, of course, my first language, so I’m like a second grader who has to read slowly. The words can hit the heart. They did that to mine.
The resurrection changes everything. Here is what it means:
(1) It constituted a declaration of the Father that the last enemy had been vanquished, the penalty paid, and the condition on which life was promised [was] met. (2) It symbolized what was destined to happen to the members of Christ’s mystical body in their justification, spiritual birth and future blessed resurrection (Rom. 6:4, 5, 9, 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14, 15:20-22; 2 Cor. 4:10, 11, 14; Col. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:14. (3) It also connected instrumentally with their justification, regeneration, and final resurrection (Rom. 4:25, 5:10; Eph. 1:20; Phil. 3:10; 1 Pet. 1:3).
Source: Do I Really Know Jesus? His Resurrection Changes Everything
Later in his life, here’s what Peter wrote about the resurrection:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Pet. 1:3, NIV)
We are born again or experience new birth through the resurrection. Peter grew up from his initial reaction!
Let’s dig deeper into the meaning of the resurrection. We do this by quoting from the epistles, because these writers were inspired and have the benefit of looking back on the resurrection and interpreting it for the church and our Christian lives.
First, the resurrection is essential to the core of the gospel:
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (1 Cor. 15:3-8, NIV)
Some Christian scholars believe that those above verses contain a very early creed.
Second, if Christ was not raised from the dead, then the early apostolic preaching has been useless and so is our faith: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Cor. 15:14, NIV).
Notice that Jesus appeared to five hundred at one time. Where? Either in or around Jerusalem or in Galilee. (I say Jerusalem.)
Third, the implication for us and the dead is massive if Christ is not raised from the dead:
More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Cor. 15:15-19, NIV)
Fourth, here are the benefits when Christ has been raised from the dead, as indeed he has:
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. (1 Cor. 15:20-23).
Christ being the firstfruits means that we are next. His resurrection guarantees our own. He was first, and we follow him.
Fifth, his resurrection reveals what our bodies will be like:
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Cor. 15:42-44, NIV)
When we are reunited with our bodies at the second coming, they will be transformed and glorified. They will be immortal and imperishable.
To sum up, His resurrection changes everything. It ratifies the plan of salvation. It seals the promise that he will return to put all things right, for he is the God of justice. He can now send the Spirit into our hearts, sealing them for his second coming and our secure place in heaven. He has been restored to the glory he had before he was incarnated to a man. Now we relate to the heavenly Jesus. He can now have an intimate relationship with each of the seven billion people on the planet. That includes you.
Source: Do I Really Know Jesus? He Was Resurrected from the Dead
For further inquiries into what he did between his death and resurrection (or between his death and ascension), please click on this post: Do I Really Know Jesus? Did He Descend into Hades to Preach?
7-8:
The angels continue their commission to remind the women what Jesus had said in Galilee, as seen here: “He said, ‘It is necessary that the Son of man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the law and be killed and raised on the third day’” (Luke 9:22).
“third day”: see v. 1 for more commentary.
Remembering is a theme in Luke-Acts: 1:54, 72; 16:25; 23:42; 24:6, 8; Acts 10:31; 11:16. “In the wider biblical narrative, remembrance points to the covenantal acts of God in history. In this context, the women were not simply called to recall a certain statement from the earthly Jesus; they were called to interpret the present events in the light of the life and significance of Jesus, the one who brings salvation history to its climax” (Liefeld and Pao, comment on v. 8)
“sinful men”: that’s a literal translation, but we could have gone with “sinners.” Who were they? They were the elders of the council, the chief priests, rulers, teachers of the law, Pilate, and Herod; the latter two, though, intended to let him go (Luke 22:63-23:25). They were the Jerusalem establishment, both Jews (mostly) and Romans.
The good news, however, is that we get reliability about the flow of the story, from his birth or beginning of his ministry to his death, burial, resurrection and ascension. From beginning to end, the four Gospels, written in narrative format, are reliable.
In v. 8, The women’s memories were jarred and recalled what he had said. So now they are fluctuating between faith and hope on the one side and doubt on the other, because it would just be “too good to be true.” Yet he really did predict his death and resurrection, so it has to be true!
Here is a summary article of a fifteen-part series, on the reliability of the Gospels. You can read my conclusion and click on posts that interest you.
15. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Conclusion
“third day”: See my comments on v. 1, for more information.
9-10:
So the women—three named—and others went to the eleven and told them and the rest (masculine noun), so the women told the men, and no doubt women were in the group as well. Verse 22 says that the two men on the road to Emmaus were amazed by the women’s report, so they may have been in the group of disciples who made the next round of visits to the tomb on Sunday, unless they heard their account a day or two later.
Mary Magdalene and Joanna were named back in Luke 8:2-3. Mary Magdalene appears in all four scenes at the tomb. In Mark’s version Salome was there, too, but Luke has several more women at the tomb, as well. Why does Luke attach the clarifying Mary “the mother of James”? There were several Marys, and he needed to tell them apart.
So the point is that the accounts of the disciples, both men and women, going to the tomb can be reconciled if one sequences them correctly.
Grant R. Osborne, in his commentary, Matthew: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2010) compiled all the material about the appearances, and he counts eleven appearances (slightly edited, p. 1054):
1.. Mary Magdalene (John 20:14-18
2.. A group of women (Mark 16:5-7; Matt. 28:9)
3.. Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5)
4.. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
5.. The disciples in Jerusalem (Luke 24:36-43; John 24:13-35)
6.. Thomas and the others, eight days later (John 20:26-29)
7.. Seven disciples on the Lake of Galilee (John 21:1-23)
8.. The Great Commission appearance on mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-20)
9.. Five hundred believers at one time (1 Cor. 15:6)
10.. James (1 Cor. 15:7)
11.. The disciples at the ascension (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-12)
This link has another table:
14. Do I Really Know Jesus? He Appeared to His Disciples
Or you can see the table under vv. 41-43, below.
11:
The apostles react. They did not believe it. “Nonsense” could be translated as an “idle tale” (ESV). It is a “term used in medical settings of delirious talk of the very sick” (Bock, p. 1898).
At the end of v. 11, I supplied the word “women” because the Greek pronoun “them” is feminine plural. In English, our plural pronouns are gender neutral “they, them” (unlike Spanish or French, which have ellas and elles).
12:
Then Peter thought better of it. He got up and ran to the tomb and saw nothing but the linen cloth lying there without a body. He also saw the big rock disk rolled back as well. The women could not have moved the stone. He returned to his place, but where in Jerusalem? I don’t know, but he apparently did not leave for Galilee yet, unless he did go and thought better of it and returned to Jerusalem (v. 34). He was amazed and astonished about the empty tomb, but he had not yet seen the risen Lord.
GrowApp for Luke 24:1-12
1. Read Luke 24:6 (above) and the famous declaration. Read Rom. 10:9. Tell us how important the resurrection is for your salvation.
RELATED
11. Eyewitness Testimony in Luke’s Gospel
3. Church Fathers and Luke’s Gospel
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND MORE
To see the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the bottom. You will also find a “Summary and Conclusion” for discipleship.
