28 And they approached the village where they were going , and He acted as though He were going farther . 29 But they urged Him, saying , "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening , and the day is now nearly over ." So He went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight . 32 They said to one another , "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road , while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem , and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying , " The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon ." 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread .
36 While they were telling these things , He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be to you." 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit . 38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled , and why e do doubts arise in your hearts ? 39 " See My hands and My feet , that it is I Myself ; touch Me and see , for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have ." 40 And when He had said this , He showed them His hands and His feet . 41 While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement , He said to them, " Have you anything here to eat ?" 42 They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish ; 43 and He took it and ate it before them. 44 Now He said to them, " These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled ." 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures , 46 and He said to them, " Thus it is written , that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day , 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations , beginning from Jerusalem . 48 "You are witnesses of these things . 49 "And behold , I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high ."
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany , and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven . 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy , 53 and were continually e in the temple praising God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 24:28-53
Commentary on Luke 24:28-35
(Read Luke 24:28-35)
If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with him, cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection, with the same manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. They had found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them to each other.
Commentary on Luke 24:36-49
(Read Luke 24:36-49)
Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the disciples of his peace, though they had so lately forsaken him, and promising spiritual peace with every blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet our minds, rise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which rise in our hearts at any time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are displeasing to him. He spake with them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing had passed but what was foretold by the prophets, and necessary for the salvation of sinners. And now all men should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance, in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings were to be sought for, by faith in the name of Jesus. Christ by his Spirit works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have their understandings opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ, there needs no more than to be made to understand the Scriptures.
Commentary on Luke 24:50-53
(Read Luke 24:50-53)
Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. There was the garden in which his sufferings began; there he was in his agony. Those that would go to heaven, must ascend thither from the house of sufferings and sorrows. The disciples did not see him rise out of the grave; his resurrection could be proved by their seeing him alive afterwards: but they saw him ascend into heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of his ascension. He lifted up his hands, and blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure, but in love, he left a blessing behind him. As he arose, so he ascended, by his own power. They worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from them fresh acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The glory of Christ is the joy of all true believers, even while they are here in this world. While waiting for God's promises, we must go forth to meet them with our praises. And nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost. Fears are silenced, sorrows sweetened and allayed, and hopes kept up. And this is the ground of a Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; yea, the Father's throne is the throne of grace to us, because it is also the throne of our Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let us rely on his promises, and plead them. Let us attend his ordinances, praise and bless God for his mercies, set our affections on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness. Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.