Setting

This chapter centers on the wonderful news, “He is not here, but is risen!” The hour of darkness is over. Christ has triumphed. By His personal appearance and teaching them the Scriptures concerning Himself, the Lord lifted the doubts of the disciples and brought them peace and joy. The purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry now comes into full light, and His ascension brings the gospel to a climactic ending. Not only so, the Lord’s commission to preach the gospel also prepares us for Luke’s next book, Acts, in which the Lord would work with the disciples mightily as they witnessed for Him from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Key Verse

(24:46-47)

Did You Know...?

1. Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms (24:44): Three parts of the Hebrew Bible. Psalms represents the third division, which is called the Writings.
2. Bethany (24:50): A village on the south side of the Mount of Olives.

Outline

• The Empty Tomb
  (24:1-12)
• On the Way to Emmaus
  (24:13-35)
• Appearance to the Disciples
  (24:36-43)
• Opening the Disciples’ Understanding
  (24:44-49)
• The Ascension
  (24:50-53)

Keywords/Phrases

"the Promise of My Father", blessed, carried up into heaven, did not believe, expounded, eyes were opened, eyes were restrained, glory, great joy, marveling, must be fulfilled, opened their understanding, perplexed, power from on high, praising and blessing God, Prophet mighty in deed and word, remember, remission of sins, repentance, risen, Scriptures, suffer, witnesses, worshiped

General Analysis

• 1.	What transformations took place in a. The women? (1-12) b. The two disciples? (13-35) c. The rest of the disciples? (36-53)         Show Answer a. From perplexity to remembrance. b. From sadness to zeal. c. From terror to joy. Hide Answer

• 2a.	Pick out the verses in this chapter that carry the themes of “purpose” and “fulfillment”—prominent themes in Luke.         Show Answer 6, 7, 25-27, 44, 49. Hide Answer

• 2b.

  Why are these themes so crucial to this chapter?         Show Answer The predictions in the Scriptures placed Jesus’ death and resurrection into proper perspective. The Lord’s death was not a tragic ending but the accomplishment of God’s redemptive plan as prophesied in the Scriptures and by Christ Himself. Likewise, His resurrection furthermore demonstrated that, in accordance with His sovereign will, God has indeed conquered the power of sin. Hide Answer

Segment Analysis

• 24:1-12

  1a.

  Why is the fact that Jesus Christ is alive central to the Christian faith?         Show Answer Christ’s resurrection is for our justification (Rom 4:25). If Christ was not raised, that means He failed to overcome the power of sin and death. If He was not raised, He would not be able to deliver us from eternal condemnation, and we would still be in sin (1Cor 15:17-19). Hide Answer

• 1b.	What evidence convinced you that Christ is alive?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 2.

  How do some people today fail to find Jesus because they “look for the living among the dead”?         Show Answer Many people try to understand Jesus by studying Him as a mere historical figure who lived thousands of years ago. They regard Him as one of the great men of the past. But the Lord Jesus is alive today, and He works in the life of believers. Only with faith in the Resurrection can we experience Christ’s life-changing power and gain a true knowledge of Him. Hide Answer

• 3.

  Compare the women’s reaction to that of the other disciples.         Show Answer Verses 8-9 indicate that the women understood the resurrection once they were reminded of the Lord’s predictions. The other disciples, however, still could not believe that Jesus had been raised (1, 25, 38). Hide Answer

• 24:13-35

  4a.	What were the two disciples discussing?         Show Answer The death of Jesus and the empty tomb (19-24). Hide Answer

• 4b.	What was their mood? Why?         Show Answer They were sad (17) because they did not think that the Lord Jesus would return to life. Hide Answer

• 5.	According to their words in 21, how did the disciples interpret the Lord’s death?         Show Answer The words “we were hoping” suggest that they understood the Lord’s death as the end of their hope. Hide Answer

• 6.	Based on the Lord’s words to the two disciples, what was their main problem?         Show Answer They were slow in believing the prophecies in the Scriptures about Christ (25-26). Hide Answer

• 7.	Considering the circumstance, what was remarkable about Jesus’ actions in 30?         Show Answer Although He was a guest, He took the role of a host by giving the blessing and breaking the bread. His actions led the disciples to recognize Him (35). Hide Answer

• 8.	Has there been a time in your life when you were in despair and thought that you were walking alone, but the Lord was actually near you and was walking with you? What finally made you realize that the Lord was with you?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 9.	What did the disciples do after recognizing Jesus? What lesson can we learn from them?         Show Answer By God’s grace we have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. We should not hesitate to bring this good tiding to those around us. Hide Answer

• 10.

  Applying this story to our walk of faith, what does it take for us to be revived spiritually?         Show Answer We need to ask the Lord to open the Scriptures to us and rekindle our hearts with His Spirit (32). With knowledge of the living Word and a burning zeal in our hearts, we will rejoice and gladly witness for the Lord. Hide Answer

• 24:36-43

  11a.

  Why did the Lord say to the disciples “Peace to you”?         Show Answer The disciples had been depressed after the Lord’s death and were perplexed by the report of Christ’s post-resurrection appearance. In the midst of such confusion and uncertainty, they needed assurance from the Lord Himself. Hide Answer

• 11b.

  What kind of peace is this? How does this peace come about?         Show Answer This peace from God calms our hearts and frees us from anxiety and fear. It comes from trusting in the love and promise of our Lord. The disciples were troubled because they still had doubts (38). So the Lord brought them peace by removing their doubts. Hide Answer

• 12.

  Why was it necessary for the Lord to show the disciples that He was not a spirit?         Show Answer If the Lord Jesus’ appearance was just a spirit, then the disciples would have thought that the spirit of the Lord had returned from the dead. They still would not have been convinced that Christ had indeed been raised bodily from the dead. Hide Answer

• 24:44-49

  13a.

  Why was it important for the Lord to teach the disciples from the Scriptures instead of simply convincing them with miracles?         Show Answer Only in light of God’s sovereign plan in the Scriptures could the disciples understand the significance of the resurrection. The resurrection was not just another miracle but the fulfillment of salvation. Hide Answer

• 13b.

  What lesson can we learn from this about our faith in the risen Lord?         Show Answer Our knowledge of Jesus Christ should not be built only on experience of healings or other miracles. We must learn to know Christ through the teachings of the Scriptures. Only then can our faith in the Lord be firm. Hide Answer

• 14.

  Why is it necessary for the Lord to open our understanding for us to comprehend the Scriptures?         Show Answer The Scriptures are not just works of literature. Understanding the superficial meaning does not necessarily mean understanding the divine message behind the words. Only if God reveals His will to us can we understand the mysteries of God in His words and come to a living faith in Christ (cf. Mt 11:25-27; 1Cor 2:10 13). Hide Answer

• 15.

  What does the resurrection have to do with the great commission?         Show Answer Through His death and resurrection, Christ has received all authority in heaven and on earth and opened the way of salvation (Mt 28:18). This tiding of salvation must be preached to all the world, and as the Lord’s witnesses, we are entrusted with this commission. Hide Answer

• 16a.	According to the Lord’s instructions, what is the main message of our preaching?         Show Answer Repentance and remission of sins in Jesus’ name. Hide Answer

• 16b.	How should we equip ourselves to be preachers of the gospel?         Show Answer We need the power from on high (49), i.e. the power of the Holy Spirit Hide Answer

• 24:50-53

  17a.	Why did the disciples have such great joy?         Show Answer Their joy came from knowing that Christ has accomplished salvation through His resurrection and that there is hope of everlasting life for them and for all the world. Hide Answer

• 17b.	How has the resurrection of Christ brought you joy in your life?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer