New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Luke 24
1
It was very early in the morning on the first day of the week. The women took the spices they had prepared. Then they went to the tomb.
Reference
2
They found the stone rolled away from it.
3
When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 24:23
4
They were wondering about this. Suddenly two men in clothes as bright as lightning stood beside them.
Reference
5
The women were terrified. They bowed down with their faces to the ground. Then the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?
Reference
6
Jesus is not here! He has risen! Remember how he told you he would rise. It was while he was still with you in Galilee.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 9:44
Matthew 12:40
Resurrection
Luke 9:22
Mark 8:31
Matthew 27:63
Matthew 28:6
Matthew 16:21
7
He said, 'The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people. He must be nailed to a cross. On the third day he will rise from the dead.' "
Reference
Resurrection
Matthew 16:21
9
They came back from the tomb. They told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
10
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them were the ones who told the apostles.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 27:56
12
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent over and saw the strips of linen lying by themselves. Then he went away, wondering what had happened.
13
That same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village called Emmaus. It was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
Reference
📍 Emmaus
References Jerusalem
Luke 24:18
14
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
17
Jesus asked them, "What are you talking about as you walk along?" They stood still, and their faces were sad.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 16:6
18
One of them was named Cleopas. He said to Jesus, "You must be a visitor to Jerusalem. If you lived there, you would know the things that have happened there in the last few days."
Reference
People
Parallel theme
John 19:25
19
"What things?" Jesus asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet. He was powerful in what he said and did in the eyes of God and all of the people.
Reference
20
The chief priests and our rulers handed Jesus over to be sentenced to death. They nailed him to a cross.
Reference
21
But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to set Israel free. Also, it is the third day since all this happened.
Reference
22
"Some of our women amazed us too. Early this morning they went to the tomb.
23
But they didn't find his body. So they came and told us what they had seen. They saw angels, who said Jesus was alive.
24
Then some of our friends went to the tomb. They saw it was empty, just as the women had said. They didn't see Jesus' body there."
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 24:12
25
Jesus said to them, "How foolish you are! How long it takes you to believe all that the prophets said!
Reference
26
Didn't the Christ have to suffer these things and then receive his glory?"
Reference
Glory
1 Peter 1:11
Parallel theme
Zechariah 13:7
Hebrews 12:2
References Christ
Acts 17:3
Luke 24:46
27
Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures. He began with Moses and all the Prophets.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 7:14
Zechariah 9:9
Genesis 22:18
Isaiah 50:6
Prophecy
Deuteronomy 18:15
Acts 10:43
Word
Luke 24:44
John 1:45
John 5:39
Zechariah 13:7
28
The two men approached the village where they were going. Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
Reference
29
But they tried hard to keep him from leaving. They said, "Stay with us. It is nearly evening. The day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
Reference
30
He joined them at the table. Then he took bread and gave thanks. He broke it and began to give it to them.
Reference
Blessing
Matthew 14:19
Luke 9:16
Mark 14:22
Parallel theme
Luke 24:35
Matthew 15:36
Acts 27:35
Mark 8:6
John 6:11
Luke 22:19
31
Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. But then he disappeared from their sight.
Reference
32
They said to each other, "He talked with us on the road. He opened the Scriptures to us. Weren't our hearts burning inside us during that time?"
Reference
33
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them. They were all gathered together.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 16:13
34
They were saying, "It's true! The Lord has risen! He has appeared to Simon!"
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 15:5
35
Then the two of them told what had happened to them on the way. They told how they had recognized Jesus when he broke the bread.
36
The disciples were still talking about this when Jesus himself suddenly stood among them. He said, "May peace be with you!"
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 57:18
Mark 16:14
Peace
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Revelation 1:4
John 20:26
John 14:27
John 16:33
Luke 10:5
37
They were surprised and terrified. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 28:13
39
Look at my hands and my feet. It is really I! Touch me and see. A ghost does not have a body or bones. But you can see that I do."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 20:27
1 John 1:1
John 20:20
Spirit
Ecclesiastes 12:7
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Numbers 16:22
Hebrews 12:9
40
After he said that, he showed them his hands and feet.
41
But they still did not believe it. They were amazed and filled with joy. So Jesus asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
Reference
Parallel theme
John 21:5
42
They gave him a piece of cooked fish.
43
He took it and ate it in front of them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 10:41
44
Jesus said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything written about me must happen. Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must come true."
Reference
Parallel theme
Zechariah 12:10
Zechariah 9:9
Acts 13:33
Luke 9:22
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
Zechariah 6:12
Prophecy
Revelation 19:10
References Moses
John 5:46
Word
Hebrews 10:1
45
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 16:14
1 John 5:20
Acts 26:18
Job 33:16
Ephesians 5:14
Exodus 4:11
Revelation 3:7
Word
Psalm 119:18
Luke 24:32
46
He told them, "This is what is written. The Christ will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day.
Reference
47
His followers will preach in his name. They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven. People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 49:6
Acts 13:46
Matthew 28:19
Psalm 86:9
Repentance
Acts 20:21
Acts 11:18
Sin
Acts 5:31
Acts 2:38
Malachi 1:11
Acts 26:18
49
"I am going to send you what my Father has promised. But for now, stay in the city. Stay there until you have received power from heaven."
Reference
50
Jesus led his disciples out to the area near Bethany. Then he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
Reference
52
Then they worshiped him. With great joy, they returned to Jerusalem.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 30:11
John 16:22
John 20:28
John 14:28
1 Peter 1:8
Worship
Matthew 28:9
Matthew 28:17
Chapter Summary
Luke 24 records the resurrection of Jesus, the discovery of the empty tomb, the journey to Emmaus, Jesus' appearances to His disciples, His explanation of Scripture, and His ascension into heaven, bringing the Gospel to its dramatic conclusion.
The chapter begins very early on the first day of the week, when the women return to Jesus' tomb carrying the spices they had prepared after His burial.
Instead of finding Jesus' body, they discover that the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is empty.
Two heavenly messengers tell them that they are looking in the wrong place because Jesus has risen from the dead, reminding them that He had already predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection.
The women return to the apostles and report what they have seen, but the apostles initially regard their testimony as unbelievable.
Peter nevertheless runs to the tomb, finds the linen cloths lying there, and returns wondering what has happened.
Later that same day, two disciples travel from Jerusalem toward Emmaus, discussing the events surrounding Jesus' death and the reports of the empty tomb.
The risen Jesus joins them on the road, but they are prevented from recognizing Him.
They explain that Jesus had been a powerful prophet and that they had hoped He would redeem Israel, but His crucifixion had destroyed their expectations.
Jesus then explains that the Messiah had to suffer before entering His glory, beginning with Moses and the Prophets and showing how the Scriptures pointed toward His mission.
When they reach Emmaus, the disciples invite Him to stay with them.
During the meal, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them.
At that moment, they recognize Him, but He disappears from their sight.
They immediately return to Jerusalem and tell the others that Jesus has appeared to them.
While they are still discussing these events, Jesus suddenly appears among them and says, “Peace be with you.”
The disciples initially think they are seeing a spirit, but Jesus invites them to examine His hands and feet and even asks for something to eat.
He eats fish in front of them, emphasizing that His resurrection is bodily and physical, not merely a spiritual vision.
Jesus then opens their minds so that they can understand the Scriptures, explaining that the Messiah had to suffer, rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
The disciples are appointed as witnesses of these things and are told to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the power promised by the Father.
The chapter concludes with Jesus leading them toward Bethany, where He blesses them and is taken up into heaven.
The disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy and continually worship God in the Temple.
Luke therefore ends his Gospel not with defeat or mourning but with resurrection, understanding, worship, joy, and a mission to the nations.
Historical Timeline
- c. 6th century BC: Jewish prophetic traditions concerning restoration, God's kingdom, and the future redemption of Israel form important background to Jesus' interpretation of Scripture.
- c. 20–19 BC: Herod the Great's major reconstruction and expansion of the Jerusalem Temple is underway.
- AD 26–36: Pontius Pilate serves as Roman prefect of Judea.
- c. AD 27–30: Jesus conducts His public ministry in Galilee and Judea.
- c. AD 30: Jesus is crucified during the Passover period.
- c. AD 30: Jesus rises from the dead on the first day of the week, traditionally identified as Sunday.
- c. AD 30: Jesus appears to the women, Peter, the Emmaus disciples, and the gathered disciples.
- c. AD 30: Jesus commissions His disciples to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations.
- c. AD 30: Jesus ascends into heaven from the vicinity of Bethany and the Mount of Olives.
- c. AD 30: The disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting the promised coming of the Holy Spirit.
- c. AD 30: Pentecost and the public expansion of the early Christian movement follow, as described in the Book of Acts.
- AD 64–67: Peter and Paul are traditionally associated with martyrdom in Rome during the reign of Nero.
- AD 66–70: The First Jewish-Roman War leads to the destruction of Jerusalem.
- AD 70: The Second Temple is destroyed by Roman forces under Titus.
Luke 24 brings the Gospel to its climax by showing that the crucified Jesus is alive, that His resurrection transforms the disciples' understanding of Scripture and God's plan, that His physical presence overcomes their fear and doubt, and that His followers are commissioned to carry the message of repentance and forgiveness from Jerusalem to all nations, while His ascension marks the end of His earthly ministry and the beginning of the Spirit-empowered mission that continues in Acts.
The chapter begins very early on the first day of the week, when the women return to Jesus' tomb carrying the spices they had prepared after His burial.
Instead of finding Jesus' body, they discover that the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is empty.
Two heavenly messengers tell them that they are looking in the wrong place because Jesus has risen from the dead, reminding them that He had already predicted His suffering, death, and resurrection.
The women return to the apostles and report what they have seen, but the apostles initially regard their testimony as unbelievable.
Peter nevertheless runs to the tomb, finds the linen cloths lying there, and returns wondering what has happened.
Later that same day, two disciples travel from Jerusalem toward Emmaus, discussing the events surrounding Jesus' death and the reports of the empty tomb.
The risen Jesus joins them on the road, but they are prevented from recognizing Him.
They explain that Jesus had been a powerful prophet and that they had hoped He would redeem Israel, but His crucifixion had destroyed their expectations.
Jesus then explains that the Messiah had to suffer before entering His glory, beginning with Moses and the Prophets and showing how the Scriptures pointed toward His mission.
When they reach Emmaus, the disciples invite Him to stay with them.
During the meal, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them.
At that moment, they recognize Him, but He disappears from their sight.
They immediately return to Jerusalem and tell the others that Jesus has appeared to them.
While they are still discussing these events, Jesus suddenly appears among them and says, “Peace be with you.”
The disciples initially think they are seeing a spirit, but Jesus invites them to examine His hands and feet and even asks for something to eat.
He eats fish in front of them, emphasizing that His resurrection is bodily and physical, not merely a spiritual vision.
Jesus then opens their minds so that they can understand the Scriptures, explaining that the Messiah had to suffer, rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
The disciples are appointed as witnesses of these things and are told to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the power promised by the Father.
The chapter concludes with Jesus leading them toward Bethany, where He blesses them and is taken up into heaven.
The disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy and continually worship God in the Temple.
Luke therefore ends his Gospel not with defeat or mourning but with resurrection, understanding, worship, joy, and a mission to the nations.
Historical Timeline
- c. 6th century BC: Jewish prophetic traditions concerning restoration, God's kingdom, and the future redemption of Israel form important background to Jesus' interpretation of Scripture.
- c. 20–19 BC: Herod the Great's major reconstruction and expansion of the Jerusalem Temple is underway.
- AD 26–36: Pontius Pilate serves as Roman prefect of Judea.
- c. AD 27–30: Jesus conducts His public ministry in Galilee and Judea.
- c. AD 30: Jesus is crucified during the Passover period.
- c. AD 30: Jesus rises from the dead on the first day of the week, traditionally identified as Sunday.
- c. AD 30: Jesus appears to the women, Peter, the Emmaus disciples, and the gathered disciples.
- c. AD 30: Jesus commissions His disciples to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations.
- c. AD 30: Jesus ascends into heaven from the vicinity of Bethany and the Mount of Olives.
- c. AD 30: The disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting the promised coming of the Holy Spirit.
- c. AD 30: Pentecost and the public expansion of the early Christian movement follow, as described in the Book of Acts.
- AD 64–67: Peter and Paul are traditionally associated with martyrdom in Rome during the reign of Nero.
- AD 66–70: The First Jewish-Roman War leads to the destruction of Jerusalem.
- AD 70: The Second Temple is destroyed by Roman forces under Titus.
Luke 24 brings the Gospel to its climax by showing that the crucified Jesus is alive, that His resurrection transforms the disciples' understanding of Scripture and God's plan, that His physical presence overcomes their fear and doubt, and that His followers are commissioned to carry the message of repentance and forgiveness from Jerusalem to all nations, while His ascension marks the end of His earthly ministry and the beginning of the Spirit-empowered mission that continues in Acts.