Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 24:19

"And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:" — Luke 24:19 (ASV)

What follows constitutes an affirmation about the person and work of Christ that is of great significance for our understanding of Jesus and of Luke’s perception of him as recorded elsewhere (e.g., 4:14; Acts 19:38–39). The importance of the affirmation of the two disciples here in 24:19 must not in any way be underestimated. It is integral to Luke’s theology and purpose.

“He was a prophet” recalls the passage in chapter 4 where Jesus clearly identified himself with the prophets (4:24). While in Luke’s narrative Jesus is perceived as a prophet (e.g., 7:16), the Resurrection affirmed him to be much more, as the two on the Emmaus road are soon to learn.

The “chief priests and our rulers” (v.20) stand in contrast to the receptive “people” (v.19). It was they who “handed him over” for crucifixion. In v.21 the words “but we” provide still another contrast. Unlike the rulers, they “hoped” that Jesus would bring deliverance. The past tense used here is, under the present circumstances, a pathetic reminder of their inability to recognize Jesus or to believe the report of the empty tomb. Their expectation that he would “redeem Israel” recalls the words of Zechariah in 1:68 (cf. 2:38; 21:28). In view of v.46 and the passion predictions, the term “third day” had a significance to Luke’s readers. What should have been the day of hope realized was for them the day of hope extinguished.

The final incomprehensible element in the travelers’ report was the report of the empty tomb (v.22). The mention of “angels” shows that this is what Luke meant by “men” in v.4. Verse 24 recalls v.12. The empty tomb without the appearance of Jesus himself was inadequate. It ironically becomes the last sad part of their confused response to Jesus’ question, “What things?” (v.19).