Luk 24:35-49 | NETfull | STEP | Then they told what had happened on the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

Luke 24:35-49

35 Then they told what had happened on the road, ^{▼▼ Now with the recounting of what had happened on the road two sets of witnesses corroborate the women’s report.} and how they recognized him ^{▼▼ Grk “how he was made known to them”; or “how he was recognized by them.” Here the passive construction has been converted to an active one in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style.} when he broke the bread.

Jesus Makes a Final Appearance

36 While they were saying these things, Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ^{▼▼ The words “and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’” are lacking in some Western mss (D it). But the clause is otherwise well attested, being found in Ƥ⁷⁵and the rest of the ms tradition, and should be considered an original part of Luke.} 37 But they were startled and terrified, thinking ^{▼▼ The disciples were still not comfortable at this point thinking that this could be Jesus raised from the dead. Instead they thought they saw a spirit.} they saw a ghost. ^{▼▼ This is not a reference to “a phantom” as read by the Western ms D. For πνεῦμα (pneuma) having the force of “ghost,” or “an independent noncorporeal being, in contrast to a being that can be perceived by the physical senses,” see BDAG 833-34 s.v. πνεῦμα 4.} 38 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} he said to them, “Why are you frightened, ^{▼▼ Or “disturbed,” “troubled.”} and why do doubts ^{▼▼ The expression here is an idiom; see BDAG 58 s.v. ἀναβαίνω 2. Here καρδία (kardia) is a collective singular; the expression has been translated as plural in English.} ^{▼▼ Jesus calls the disciples to faith with a gentle rebuke about doubts and a gracious invitation to see for themselves the evidence of his resurrection.} arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; it’s me! ^{▼▼ Grk “that it is I myself.”} Touch me and see; a ghost ^{▼▼ See [V] note on “ghost” in v. 37.} does not have flesh and bones like you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ^{▼▼ Some Western mss (D it) lack 24:40. However, it is present in all other mss, including Ƥ⁷⁵, and should thus be regarded as an original part of Luke’s Gospel.} 41 And while they still could not believe it ^{▼▼ They still could not believe it. Is this a continued statement of unbelief? Or is it a rhetorical expression of their amazement? They are being moved to faith, so a rhetorical force is more likely here.} (because of their joy) and were amazed, ^{▼▼ Amazement is the common response to unusual activity: 1:63; 2:18; 4:22; 7:9; 8:25; 9:43; 11:14; 20:26.} he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ^{▼▼ Do you have anything here to eat? Eating would remove the idea that a phantom was present. Angelic spirits refused a meal in Jdt 13:16 and Tob 12:19, but accepted it in Gen 18:8; 19:3 and Tob 6:6.} 42 So ^{▼▼ Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ request for food.} they gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in front of them.

Jesus’ Final Commission

44 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me ^{▼▼ Everything written about me. The divine plan, events, and scripture itself are seen here as being one.} in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms ^{▼▼ For a similar threefold division of the OT scriptures, see the prologue to Sirach, lines 8–10, and from Qumran, the epilogue to 4QMMT, line 10.} must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures, ^{▼▼ Luke does not mention specific texts here, but it is likely that many of the scriptures he mentioned elsewhere in Luke-Acts would have been among those he had in mind.} 46 and said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ ^{▼▼ Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”} would suffer ^{▼▼ Three Greek infinitives are the key to this summary: (1) to suffer, (2) to rise, and (3) to be preached. The Christ (Messiah) would be slain, would be raised, and a message about repentance would go out into all the world as a result. All of this was recorded in the scripture. The remark shows the continuity between Jesus’ ministry, the scripture, and what disciples would be doing as they declared the Lord risen.} and would rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance ^{▼▼ This repentance has its roots in declarations of the Old Testament. It is the Hebrew concept of a turning of direction.} for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed ^{▼▼ Or “preached,” “announced.”} in his name to all nations, ^{▼▼ To all nations. The same Greek term (τὰ ἔθνη, ta ethnē) may be translated “the Gentiles” or “the nations.” The hope of God in Christ was for all the nations from the beginning.} beginning from Jerusalem. ^{▼▼ Beginning from Jerusalem. See Acts 2, which is where it all starts.} ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} 48 You are witnesses ^{▼▼ You are witnesses. This becomes a key concept of testimony in Acts. See Acts 1:8.} of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you ^{▼▼ Grk “sending on you.”} what my Father promised. ^{▼▼ Grk “the promise of my Father,” with τοῦ πατρός (tou patros) translated as a subjective genitive. This is a reference to the Holy Spirit and looks back to how one could see Messiah had come with the promise of old (Luke 3:15–18). The promise is rooted in Jer 31:31 and Ezek 36:26.} But stay in the city ^{▼▼ The city refers to Jerusalem.} until you have been clothed with power ^{▼▼ Until you have been clothed with power refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. What the Spirit supplies is enablement. See Luke 12:11–12; 21:12–15. The difference the Spirit makes can be seen in Peter (compare Luke 22:54–62 with Acts 2:14–41).} from on high.”