The first day after the Sabbath
Luke 24 opens very early on the first day of the week as women bring prepared spices to the tomb where Jesus had been laid.
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Listen to Luke 24
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Hear the complete chapter in the Berean Standard Bible, followed by a brief reflection, response, and prayer.
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The Risen Jesus Comes Near
Welcome to Daily Scripture. Today's reading is Luke 24, and the complete chapter is included in this podcast. The episode notes include a link to Luke 24 in the same translation if you would like to read along. This episode is called The Risen Jesus Comes Near. We will locate the chapter in Luke's story, hear it in full, and then follow Jesus from bewilderment to worship and witness.
Context Lens
Luke 23 ended with Jesus placed in a tomb before the Sabbath. Luke 24 begins very early on the first day of the week as women arrive with prepared spices. The chapter moves from the burial place toward Emmaus, then to a gathering in Jerusalem, and finally near Bethany. It closes Luke's Gospel and prepares for the continuation in Acts, where the ascension and the promised Spirit are narrated again.
Luke 24
Hear now the complete chapter, Luke 24, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Scripture Reading
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” Then they remembered His words. And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?” “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him. But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place. Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.” Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, gathered together and saying, “The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit. “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in front of them. Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God continually in the temple.
The Living Jesus
That was Luke 24.
Remember His Words
The women arrive prepared to care for a dead body. Instead, they find the stone moved and the body absent. The messengers do not describe the hidden moment of resurrection. They announce that Jesus is alive and turn the women back to what he had already said about suffering, crucifixion, and rising. Remembering his words changes their direction. They came carrying spices and leave carrying testimony. Luke names the women who report what happened, and he also preserves the apostles' refusal to believe them. Peter runs to the tomb and sees the linen cloths, but he still goes home wondering. The chapter does not shame bewildered people or pretend that evidence instantly becomes understanding. The risen Jesus himself will come near, open the Scriptures, and make himself known.
Suffering Before Glory
On the road to Emmaus, Jesus comes near before the travelers recognize him. They know many true details. Jesus was crucified. The tomb is empty. The women reported that he is alive. Yet their disappointed expectation reveals a story that no longer makes sense to them. Jesus does not erase the cross to restore their hope. He teaches that the Messiah's suffering came before glory and shows how the Scriptures bear witness to him. Luke does not supply a list of proof texts, so we should not pretend that he did. The firm claim is larger: the cross and resurrection belong within God's scriptural purpose. Recognition is also given rather than achieved by analysis alone. Jesus opens the Scriptures on the road, receives their hospitality, breaks bread at the table, and their eyes are opened. Luke does not explicitly call this meal the Lord's Supper. The secure point is that the same Jesus who taught them is alive and becomes known to them. Opened Scripture and recognized presence send them back toward the gathered witnesses.
Peace, Forgiveness, and Promise
Jesus stands among frightened followers and gives peace. He shows his hands and feet, invites touch, and eats fish while they watch. Luke's claim is bodily and personal. The risen one is not a ghost and not a replacement for the crucified Jesus. It is truly Jesus, alive beyond death. Then he enables them to grasp the Scriptures. He gathers their witness around the gospel movement Luke has been narrating: the Messiah suffers, dies, is raised three days later, and sends the message of repentance and forgiveness to all nations. Repentance does not purchase mercy. The message begins with what God has accomplished in the suffering and risen Christ, then calls people to turn and receive forgiveness in his name. Even the commission arrives under grace. The Son sends witnesses, the Father has promised, and the Holy Spirit will give power. Christian witness does not begin with self-generated confidence. It begins with the peace of the risen Jesus and depends on God's promised help.
Under His Blessing
Luke closes under Jesus' lifted hands. He leads the disciples near Bethany, blesses them, and departs. Ancient manuscripts differ over part of the wording in verse 51, while Acts clearly narrates the ascension. The secure final movement is blessing, departure, worship, joy, and promised continuation. The disciples return to Jerusalem as Jesus directed. Waiting is not abandonment. They remain under his favor and promise, praising God until the story continues.
Receive Before You Carry
Luke 24 does not ask bewildered people to manufacture clarity, peace, or courage. Jesus comes near before they understand. He gives peace before he commissions. He promises power before they act. That order matters today. Receive what Christ has done before trying to prove what you can do. Bring one disappointed interpretation, hard conversation, or uncertain decision under his words. Then take one truthful next step without demanding that confidence originate in you. Witness, waiting, repentance, and obedience grow from grace already given.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are risen, present, and faithful to your word. Thank you for coming near to bewildered people, opening the Scriptures, giving peace, and announcing forgiveness. Keep us under your blessing. Teach us to receive your mercy before we act, to wait for the Father's promise, and to depend on the Holy Spirit's power. Correct the stories we have formed without you. Make us truthful witnesses who neither hide the cross nor doubt the life you give. Turn disappointment toward worship, fear toward peace, and self-reliance toward trust. Amen.
Translation Credit
Today's Scripture reading was from the Berean Standard Bible. The Berean Standard Bible text is dedicated to the public domain. A link to read Luke 24 in the same translation is included with this episode.
Audio narration may be generated using an AI voice from the reviewed episode transcript.
Begin with the complete text
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Open Luke 24 in the authorized NLT reader, then return for context, exposition, and response.
Read Luke 24 in Bible.com →Historical and literary setting
Context Lens
Four concluding movements
The chapter moves from the empty tomb to the Emmaus road, a gathering in Jerusalem, and Jesus’ departure near Bethany.
Luke continues into Acts
Luke ends with the disciples in Jerusalem awaiting promised power. Acts resumes the account with Jesus’ ascension and the Spirit’s coming.
Strong inferenceSee timeline and full contextTimeline, writing setting, historical world, and biblical frame
Scripture
A focused passage excerpt
Luke 24:46-48
A focused excerpt
46And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.
47It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’
48You are witnesses of all these things.
Exposition
Read closely
Luke 24:1-12
Remember What He Told You
The women come prepared for death and meet an announcement of life. They find the stone moved and the body of the Lord Jesus absent. The two dazzling messengers do not describe the moment of resurrection. They declare that Jesus is alive and direct the women back to what he had already said about betrayal, crucifixion, and rising on the third day.
Remembering changes the women’s direction. They arrive carrying spices for a body and leave carrying news for the disciples. Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women as the first people in the chapter to report the empty tomb and the angelic announcement. The apostles dismiss their testimony as nonsense, so Luke preserves unbelief inside the first Christian circle rather than polishing it away.
Peter runs, sees evidence, and still wonders. The empty wrappings confirm that the report demands attention, but the empty tomb alone does not supply the whole explanation. Across the chapter, understanding comes as the risen Jesus joins his followers, recalls his words, opens the Scriptures, and makes himself known. Evidence
The first movement is not from easy faith to certainty, but from prepared spices to remembered words and honest wonder.
Luke 24:13-34
Suffering Before Glory
Jesus comes near before the travelers recognize him. Cleopas and his companion know the public events, the women’s report, and the empty tomb. Their sentence, “We had hoped,” shows that the cross has broken the shape of rescue they expected. They possess many true details, yet they do not know how those details belong together.
Jesus corrects their reading of the Messiah’s path. He does not treat suffering as evidence that God’s purpose failed. He says the Messiah had to suffer before entering glory, then interprets Moses and the prophets concerning himself. Luke does not give a list of proof texts here. The clear conclusion belongs in the main path: Jesus teaches that the cross and resurrection stand within God’s scriptural purpose, not outside it. Evidence
Recognition is given, not achieved by sharper analysis. Jesus explains the Scriptures on the road, accepts their hospitality, blesses and breaks the bread, and then their eyes are opened. The scene echoes familiar meals in Luke, but the text does not explicitly name this meal as the Lord’s Supper. Its secure emphasis is that the same Jesus who taught them is alive and becomes known to them. Evidence
Opened Scripture sends them back toward witness. They remember burning hearts, return to Jerusalem within the hour, and join a gathering already speaking of the risen Lord. Their sadness is not repaired by denying the crucifixion. Hope is restored when the risen Jesus shows that suffering came before glory and that the Scriptures bear witness to him.
The cross had shattered their hope because they could not yet see that, in God’s purpose, suffering came before glory.
Luke 24:35-49
It Is Really Me
Jesus stands among frightened followers and gives peace. He does not shame them for needing assurance. He shows his hands and feet, invites touch, and eats fish while they watch. Luke’s claim is bodily and personal: the risen one is not a ghost and not a replacement for the crucified Jesus. He is Jesus himself, alive beyond death. Evidence
Jesus opens minds as well as the Scriptures. The law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms form Luke’s broad description of Israel’s Scriptures. Jesus gathers their witness around one gospel movement: the Messiah suffers, dies, rises on the third day, and authorizes the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness to all nations.
Forgiveness is announced in the risen Jesus’ name. The NLT makes the personal outcome explicit with the wording “for all who repent.” The Greek construction closely joins repentance and forgiveness without making repentance a payment for mercy. The message begins with what God has accomplished in the suffering and risen Messiah, then calls people to turn and receive forgiveness. Evidence
Witness depends on promise, not self-generated confidence. Jesus names these followers as witnesses, yet tells them to stay in the city. He will send what his Father promised, and the Holy Spirit will fill them with power from heaven. The risen Son’s commission is therefore held inside the Father’s promise and the Spirit’s enabling presence.
The risen Jesus gives peace, evidence, understanding, forgiveness, a commission, and the promise of the Spirit.
Luke 24:50-53
While He Was Blessing Them
Luke ends under Jesus’ lifted hands. Jesus leads the disciples near Bethany and blesses them. While blessing them, he departs and is taken into heaven. Ancient witnesses differ over the final ascension wording in verse 51, but Luke’s second volume plainly narrates the ascension. The chapter’s secure final posture is blessing, departure, worship, and promised continuation. Evidence
The disciples return with great joy. Earlier they hid inside disappointment, fear, and doubt. Now they worship Jesus and praise God in the Temple. Their waiting is not inactivity or abandonment. They remain where Jesus directed them, under his blessing and his promise, ready for the story to continue in Acts.
Luke closes not at the tomb but in worship, joy, blessing, and expectant waiting.
The hinge
What holds the reading together
Luke 24 moves bewildered followers toward worship and witness as the bodily risen Jesus reminds them of his words, opens the Scriptures, gives peace, and promises the Father’s power.
Godward synthesis
Behold the Lord
Luke 24:5-8
Jesus is alive and faithful to his word.
The empty tomb is interpreted by what Jesus had already said about his suffering and resurrection.
Luke 24:36-43
The risen Jesus is bodily and personally present.
He gives peace, shows his wounds, invites touch, and eats before the witnesses.
Luke 24:44-49
The Triune God provides the whole mission.
The Son opens the Scriptures and sends witnesses, the Father promises, and the Holy Spirit supplies power.
Luke 24:50-53
Jesus blesses and receives worship.
His departure does not cancel his favor. The disciples return in joy and praise God.
Gospel horizon: Jesus himself states the gospel movement: the Messiah suffers, dies, rises on the third day, and authorizes the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness in his name. Grace begins in God’s accomplished act, and witness proceeds under the Father’s promise and the Spirit’s power.
Ordinary life under God
In the Day-to-Day
Luke 24:13-49
In Luke 24:13-49, Jesus comes near before his followers understand, gives peace before commissioning, and promises power before they act. That grace can shape a hard conversation or uncertain decision today. Begin by receiving what Christ has done, then take one truthful step without demanding that confidence or clarity originate in you.
Response
Respond before God
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are risen, present, and faithful to all you have spoken. Thank you for coming near to bewildered people, opening the Scriptures, giving peace, and announcing forgiveness. Keep me under your blessing. Teach me to receive your mercy, wait for your promised power, and bear honest witness to you without pretending that courage begins in me.
Watch
Carry the chapter’s movement from “we had hoped” to worship and great joy. Notice where disappointment has become the lens through which you read God’s words, without assuming in advance what must change or how quickly understanding must come.
Respond
Receive Jesus’ peace before attempting a task. Read Luke 24:46-49 once more, name aloud what God has done in Christ, and entrust one next act of witness or waiting to the promised help of the Holy Spirit.
Optional reference layer
Go Deeper
Text and interpretation
Textual Variant
Some ancient witnesses omit Peter’s tomb visit in verse 12, Jesus showing his hands and feet in verse 40, or the final ascension phrase in verse 51. The NLT includes these lines. The chapter’s empty-tomb, embodied-resurrection, and departure claims do not depend on one disputed line, and Acts narrates the ascension explicitly.
Translation Difference
The NLT makes Luke 24:47 personal with “for all who repent.” Other translations stay closer to the Greek form, “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Both join turning and forgiveness. The message rests on the suffering and risen Messiah and is proclaimed in his name.
Interpretive Fork
The breaking of bread recalls meals elsewhere in Luke and is often read in relation to the Lord’s Supper. Luke does not explicitly name this Emmaus meal as that supper. The secure point is recognition: the travelers know the risen Jesus after he opens the Scriptures and breaks bread.
Evidence notes for exposition
Strong inference
Supports receiving Peter’s tomb visit while keeping the chapter’s explanation broader than the empty tomb alone.
Text states
Supports suffering before glory as Jesus’ own interpretive center for the Emmaus scene.
Debated
Supports the secure recognition claim while preserving restraint about an explicit eucharistic identification.
Text states
Supports Luke’s emphasis on the risen Jesus’ embodied and personal continuity.
Strong inference
Supports the relation of repentance and forgiveness without construing repentance as payment.
Strong inference
Supports receiving the NLT ascension line while acknowledging the shorter reading and Acts’ explicit continuation.
Focused Text Notes
A closer look
Three Included Lines Luke 24:12, 40, 51
Some ancient witnesses omit all or part of these lines. The NLT includes Peter’s visit, Jesus showing his hands and feet, and his being taken into heaven. None stands alone: the chapter elsewhere reports the tomb visit, Jesus’ tangible body, and his departure, while Acts narrates the ascension explicitly.
Repentance and Forgiveness Luke 24:47
The NLT says that forgiveness is for all who repent. Other translations stay closer to the Greek form, “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Both keep turning and forgiveness together. The wording does not make repentance the price that earns forgiveness; proclamation rests on the suffering and risen Messiah and is carried in his name.
Breaking the Bread Luke 24:30-35
The action recalls meals elsewhere in Luke and has often been read eucharistically. Luke does not explicitly call this meal the Lord’s Supper. The firm narrative claim is recognition: the travelers know the risen Jesus in the breaking of bread after he has opened the Scriptures to them.
Old Testament Echo
Isaiah 53:7-12
Suffering, death, and vindication
Isaiah’s servant. Isaiah portrays a servant who suffers unjustly, is associated with death and burial, bears the wrongdoing of others, and is afterward vindicated. The servant’s identity and whether the death language describes literal death remain debated in Jewish and Christian interpretation.
Luke’s risen Messiah. Jesus says the Messiah had to suffer before glory and reads the Scriptures around himself. Isaiah 53 is a strong canonical pattern, strengthened by Luke’s explicit use of Isaiah 53:12 in Luke 22:37, but Luke 24 does not identify a single exclusive proof text.
Preparation and accountability
Prepared by Ben
This independent formation resource uses an AI-assisted research and production workflow. AI supports research, organization, drafting, and mechanical checks. AI is not treated as a theological authority.
No independent theological review is claimed for this reading.
Revision 2026-08-26-r2 supersedes 2026-08-26: Adds the reviewed dual-voice BSB audio companion, accessible transcript, and synthetic-narration disclosure; the study text is unchanged.
Last revised 2026-08-26. How these studies are prepared · Report a correction
Sources
Sources and text notice
- Tyndale NLT source pack: Exact complete NLT Scripture, canonical verse sequence, official section headings, and observations directly present in Luke 24
- Bible.com, Luke 24 NLT: Authorized public NLT reader route and NLT attribution for Luke 24
- BibleProject, Book of Luke Guide: Directly inspected literary overview of Luke, the Jerusalem conclusion, resurrection, and continuation into Acts
- NET Bible, Luke 24 notes: Directly inspected translation, narrative, geography, textual-variant, ascension, and Luke-Acts continuation notes for Luke 24
- Metzger textual commentary excerpt on Luke 24: Directly inspected textual-critical summaries for Luke 24:12, 40, and 51
- Daniel A. Smith, Seeing a Pneuma(tic Body): Directly inspected scholarly analysis of Luke 24:36-43, embodied resurrection, continuity of Jesus’ identity, and witness
- The resurrection as Christ’s entry into his glory: Directly inspected narrative analysis of Luke 24, suffering before glory, revelation, embodied resurrection, and worship
- Brettler and Levine, Isaiah’s Suffering Servant: Directly inspected Isaiah 52:13-53:12 in its literary context, interpretive plurality, suffering, death imagery, vindication, and New Testament reception
- Bible.com, Isaiah 53 NLT: Authorized public NLT reader route for the Old Testament Echo
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.