Luke 24:36-49

Applebury's Comments

Jesus-' Appearance to the Eleven
Scripture

Luke 24:36-49 And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them. Have ye here anything to eat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. 43 And he took it, and ate before them.

44 And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; 46 and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 Ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.

Comments

He himself stood in the midst of them.He said, Peace be unto you. But the terrified disciples thought that they were beholding a spirit. Important evidence of the resurrection is revealed in this appearance. Jesus told the disciples to see His hands and feet for themselves. Thomas, on one occasion, said he would not believe unless he could see the prints of the nails in His hands and put his hand into the wound in Jesus-' side. Jesus gave him the opportunity to do that very thing. When Thomas saw it, he said, My Lord and my God.

Their joy over what they had heard and seen still kept them from believing what their eyes told them was true. Then Jesus took a piece of broiled fish and ate it in their presence. That convinced them that He was not a spirit, but the Risen Lord. See also John's comment in 1 John 1:1-4.

these are my words.Jesus had reviewed the Scriptures about His death and resurrection for the Emmaus disciples. He repeated it for the group in Jerusalem, reminding them that all that had been written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms about Him had to be fulfilled. He helped them to understand the Scriptures by saying, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations beginning from Jerusalem. This message of Christ is the central theme of the Bible. When the apostles preached the Word, they preached Christ. They did not hesitate to declare that in none other is there salvation, for neither is there any other name under heaven that is given among men wherein we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

beginning from Jerusalem.The crucifixion had taken place at Jerusalem. The evidence that proved His resurrection had been presented at Jerusalem. The preaching of the gospel that was based on these facts was to begin in Jerusalem also. The eleven, and Matthias, all of whom were eye-witness of these facts, began their ministry of preaching and teaching on the Day of Pentecost immediately after they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

the promise of the father.That was the promise that the Holy Spirit would be sent to enable them to bear accurate testimony concerning that which they had seen and heard. They were to wait in Jerusalem until they received that power from on high.