Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 24
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Luke 24
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Luke 24
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared." — Luke 24:1 (ASV)
All four gospels specify the first day of the week (v.1) as the day of the Resurrection. This became the day of Christian worship (cf. Acts 20:7). The change from the traditional and biblical Sabbath is in itself a strong evidence of the Resurrection because it shows the strength of the disciples’ conviction about what happened on that day. Luke refers to the time of day by the general statement that it was “very early.” When the women arrived at the tomb, they found the stone rolled away, and Luke specifically states that the body of the Lord was not there.
"And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb." — Luke 24:2 (ASV)
All four gospels specify the first day of the week (v.1) as the day of the Resurrection. This became the day of Christian worship (cf. Acts 20:7). The change from the traditional and biblical Sabbath is in itself a strong evidence of the Resurrection because it shows the strength of the disciples’ conviction about what happened on that day. Luke refers to the time of day by the general statement that it was “very early.” When the women arrived at the tomb, they found the stone rolled away, and Luke specifically states that the body of the Lord was not there.
"And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus." — Luke 24:3 (ASV)
All four gospels specify the first day of the week (v.1) as the day of the Resurrection. This became the day of Christian worship (cf. Acts 20:7). The change from the traditional and biblical Sabbath is in itself a strong evidence of the Resurrection because it shows the strength of the disciples’ conviction about what happened on that day. Luke refers to the time of day by the general statement that it was “very early.” When the women arrived at the tomb, they found the stone rolled away, and Luke specifically states that the body of the Lord was not there.
"And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel:" — Luke 24:4 (ASV)
Once again, Luke describes someone pondering a remarkable event (e.g., 1:29, 66; 2:19). Luke speaks of “two men” in the tomb who address the women; this mention of two men seems consistent with his other references to witnesses to Jesus (cf. Simeon and Anna, 2:25–38; and esp. 24:48). Two witnesses are the minimum number required for validation (19:15). That Luke understands that the two “men” were angels is evident from what he says of them in v.23 and from his description of their clothes as gleaming like lightning. Not only were the women frightened, but in their fear they bowed facedown to the ground (fear is a typical response in the presence of a supernatural visitation; e.g., 1:12; 2:9; 9:34). “The living” stresses the factual aspect of the Resurrection.
"and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?" — Luke 24:5 (ASV)
Once again, Luke describes someone pondering a remarkable event (e.g., 1:29, 66; 2:19). Luke speaks of “two men” in the tomb who address the women; this mention of two men seems consistent with his other references to witnesses to Jesus (cf. Simeon and Anna, 2:25–38; and esp. 24:48). Two witnesses are the minimum number required for validation (19:15). That Luke understands that the two “men” were angels is evident from what he says of them in v.23 and from his description of their clothes as gleaming like lightning. Not only were the women frightened, but in their fear they bowed facedown to the ground (fear is a typical response in the presence of a supernatural visitation; e.g., 1:12; 2:9; 9:34). “The living” stresses the factual aspect of the Resurrection.
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