Bible Commentaries
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
Luke 24
Certain others with them - Who had not come from Galilee. Matthew 28:1 ; Mark 16:1 ; John 20:1 .
Behold two - Angels in the form of men. Mary had seen them a little before. They had disappeared on these women's coming to the sepulchre, but now appeared again. St. Matthew and Mark mention only one of them, appearing like a young man.
Remember how he spake to you, saying, The Son of man must be delivered - This is only a repetition of the words which our Lord had spoken to them before his passion But it is observable, he never styles himself the Son of man after his resurrection.
O foolish - Not understanding the designs and works of God: And slow of heart - Unready to believe what the prophets have so largely spoken.
Ought not Christ - If he would redeem man, and fulfil the prophecies concerning him, to have suffered these things? - These very sufferings which occasion your doubts, are the proofs of his being the Messiah. And to enter into his glory - Which could be done no other way.
He made as though he would go farther - Walking forward, as if he was going on; and he would have done it, had they not pressed him to stay.
He took the bread, and blessed, and brake - Just in the same manner as when ho instituted his last supper.
Their eyes were opened - That is, the supernatural cloud was removed: And he vanished - Went away insensibly.
Did not our heart burn within us - Did not we feel an unusual warmth of love! Was not our heart burning, &c.
The Lord hath appeared to Simon - Before he was seen of the twelve apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:5 . He had, in his wonderful condescension and grace, taken an opportunity on the former part of that day (though where, or in what manner, is not recorded) to show himself to Peter, that he might early relieve his distresses and fears, on account of having so shamefully denied his Master.
Jesus stood in the midst of them - It was just as easy to his Divine power to open a door undiscernibly, as it was to come in at a door opened by some other hand. Mark 16:14 , Mark 16:19 ; John 20:19 .
He showed them his hands and his feet - That they might either see or feel the prints of the nails.
While they believed not for joy - They did in some sense believe: otherwise they would not have rejoiced. But their excess of joy prevented a clear, rational belief.
He took it and ate before them - Not that he had any need of food; but to give them still farther evidence.
And he said - On the day of his ascension. In the law, and the prophets, and the psalms - The prophecies as well as types, relating to the Messiah, are contained either in the books of Moses (usually called the law) in the Psalms, or in the writings of the prophets; little being said directly concerning him in the historical books.
Then opened he their understanding, to understand the Scriptures - He had explained them before to the two as they went to Emmaus. But still they Understood them not, till he took off the veil from their hearts, by the illumination of his Spirit.
Beginning at Jerusalem - This was appointed most graciously and wisely: graciously, as it encouraged the, greatest sinners to repent, when they saw that even the murderers of Christ were not excepted from mercy: and wisely, as hereby Christianity was more abundantly attested; the facts being published first on the very spot where they happened.
He led them out as far as Bethany - Not the town, but the district: to the mount of Olives, Acts 1:12 , which stood within the boundaries of Bethany.
And while he was blessing them, he was parted from them - It was much more proper that our Lord should ascend into heaven, than that he should rise from the dead, in the sight of the apostles. For his resurrection was proved when they saw him alive after his passion: but they could not see him in heaven while they continued on earth.
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