Luke 24:8._And they remembered his words; _by which we are taught that, though they had made little proficiency in the doctrine of Christ, still it was not lost, but was choked up, until in due time it yielded fruit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 24:12._And Peter arose, and ran to the tomb. _I have no doubt that Luke here inverts the order of the narrative, as may be readily inferred from the words of John, (John 20:3;) and, in my opinion, the word _ran _( ἔδραμεν) might justly be rendered as a pluperfect tense, _had run. _All who posse... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 24:13._And lo, two of them. _Although Mark touches slightly and briefly on this narrative, and Matthew and John say not a single word respecting it; yet as it is highly useful to be known and worthy of being remembered, it is not without reason that Luke treats it with so much exactness. But I... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And they were conversing with each other. _It was a proof of godliness that they endeavored to cherish their faith in Christ: though small and weak; for their _conversation _had no other object than to employ their reverence for their Master as a shield against the offense of the cross. Now thou... [ Continue Reading ]
16._But their eyes were restrained. _The Evangelist expressly states this, lest any one should think that the aspect of Christ’s body was changed, and that the features of his countenance were different from what they had formerly been. (314) For though Christ remained like himself, he was not recog... [ Continue Reading ]
17._What are those discourses which you hold with each other? _What was at that time, as we perceive, done openly by Christ, we daily feel to be accomplished in ourselves in a secret manner; which is, that of his own accord he approaches us unperceived for the purpose of instructing us. Now from the... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Powerful in deed and in word. _Luke has employed nearly the same form of expression in reference to the person of Stephen, (Acts 7:22,) where he says of Moses, by way of commendation, that he was _powerful in words and in actions. _But in this passage it is uncertain if it is on account of mirac... [ Continue Reading ]
21._But we hoped. _From what follows it is evident that the hope which they had entertained respecting Christ was not broken off, though at first sight such might appear to be the import of their words. But as a person who had received no previous instruction in the Gospel might be apt to be prejudi... [ Continue Reading ]
25._And he said to them. _This reproof appears to be too harsh and severe for a weak man such as this was; but whoever attends to all the circumstances will have no difficulty in perceiving that our Lord had good reason for rebuking so sharply those on whom he had long bestowed labor to little purpo... [ Continue Reading ]
26._Ought not Christ to have suffered these things? _There is no room to doubt that our Lord discoursed to them about the office of Messiah, as it is described by the Prophets, that they might not take offense at his death; and a journey of three or four hours afforded abundance of time for a full e... [ Continue Reading ]
27._And beginning at Moses. This _passage shows us in what manner Christ is made known to us through the Gospel. It is when light is thrown on the knowledge of him by the Law and the Prophets. For never was there a more able or skillful teacher of the Gospel than our Lord himself; and we see that he... [ Continue Reading ]
28._And they drew near to the village. _There is no reason for supposing, as some commentators have done, that this was a different place from _Emmaus; _for the journey was not so long as to make it necessary for them to take rest for the night at a nearer lodging. We know that seven thousand paces—... [ Continue Reading ]
30._He took bread. Augustine, _and the greater part of other commentators along with him, have thought that Christ gave the _bread, _not as an ordinary meal, but as the sacred symbol of his body. And, indeed, it might be said with some plausibility, that the Lord was at length recognized in the spir... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 24:31._And their eyes were opened. _By these words, we are taught that there was not in Christ any _metamorphosis, _or _variety of forms, _by which he might impose on the eyes of men, (as the poets feign their _Proteus,_) but that, on the contrary, the eyes of beholders were mistaken, because t... [ Continue Reading ]
32._Did not our heart burn within us? _Their recognition of Christ led the disciples to a lively perception of the secret and hidden grace of the Spirit, which he had formerly bestowed upon them. For God sometimes works in his people in such a manner, that for a time they are not aware of the power... [ Continue Reading ]
33._And they arose in the same hour. _(320) The circumstance of the time, and the distance of the places, show with what ardor those two men turned to convey the intelligence to their fellow-disciples. As they entered a lodging towards evening, it is probable that the Lord had not made himself known... [ Continue Reading ]
34._Saying, The Lord is actually risen. _By these words Luke means that those persons who had brought to the apostles joyful intelligence to confirm their minds, were informed by the disciples respecting another appearance. Nor can it be doubled that this mutual confirmation was the reward which God... [ Continue Reading ]
36._Jesus himself stood in the midst of them. _While the Evangelist John copiously details the same narrative, (John 20:19,) he differs from Luke in some circumstances. Mark, too, differs somewhat in his brief statement. As to John, since he only collects what Luke omitted, both may be easily reconc... [ Continue Reading ]
37._And they were terrified and affrighted. _John does not mention this terror; but as he also says that Christ showed his hands and sides to the disciples, we may conjecture that some circumstance had been omitted by him. Nor is it at all unusual with the Evangelists, when they aim at brevity, to g... [ Continue Reading ]
38._Why are you troubled? _By these words they are exhorted to lay aside terror, and regain the possession of their minds, that, having returned to the rigor of their senses, they may judge of a matter which is fully ascertained; for so long as men are seized with perturbation, they are blind amidst... [ Continue Reading ]
39._Look at my hands and my feet. _He calls upon their bodily senses as witnesses, that they may not suppose that a shadow is exhibited to them instead of a body. And, first, he distinguishes between a corporeal man and a spirit; as if he had said, “Sight and touch will prove that I am a real man, w... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 24:41._But while they yet believed not for joy. _This passage shows also that they were not purposely incredulous, like persons who deliberately resolve not to believe; but while their will led them to believe eagerly, they were held bound by the vehemence of their feelings, so that they could... [ Continue Reading ]
43._And he took, and ate it in their presence. _Here we perceive, on the other hand, how kindly and gently Christ bears with the weakness of his followers, since he does not fail to give them this new support when they are falling. And, indeed, though he has obtained a new and heavenly life, and has... [ Continue Reading ]
44._These are the words. _Though it will afterwards appear from Matthew and Mark that a discourse similar to this was delivered in Galilee, yet I think it probable that Luke now relates what happened on the day after his resurrection. For what John says of that day, that _he breathed on them, that t... [ Continue Reading ]
45._Then he opened their understanding. _As the Lord had formerly discharged the office of Teacher, with little or no improvement on the part of the disciples, he now begins to teach them inwardly by his Spirit; for words are icily wasted on the air, until the minds are enlightened by the gift of un... [ Continue Reading ]
46._And he said to them, Thus it is written. _The connection of these words refutes the calumny of those who allege that outward doctrine would be superfluous, if we did not naturally possess some power of understanding. “Why,” say they, “would the Lord speak to the deaf?” But we see that, when the... [ Continue Reading ]
47._To all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. _Christ now discovers clearly what he had formerly concealed—that the grace of the redemption brought by him extends alike _to all nations. _For though the prophets had frequently predicted the calling of the Gentiles, still it was not revealed in such a m... [ Continue Reading ]
48._And you are witnesses of those things. _He does not yet commission them to preach the gospel, but only reminds them to what service he has appointed them, that they may prepare themselves for it in due time. He holds out this, partly as a consolation to soothe their grief, and partly as a spur t... [ Continue Reading ]
49._And, lo, I send. _That the apostles may not be terrified by their weakness, he invites them to expect new and extraordinary grace; as if he had said, though you feel yourselves to be unfit for such a charge, there is no reason why you should despond, because I will send you from heaven that powe... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 24:50._And lifted up his hands, and blessed them; _by which he showed that the office of _blessing, _which was enjoined on the priests under the law, belonged truly and properly to himself. When men _bless _one another it is nothing else than praying in behalf of their brethren; but with God it... [ Continue Reading ]
52._And having worshipped him, they returned. _By the word _worship, _Luke means, first, that the apostles were relieved from all doubt, because at that time the majesty of Christ shone on all sides, so that there was no longer any room for doubting of his resurrection; and, secondly, that for the s... [ Continue Reading ]