Luke 24:20

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

Luke 24:20 (KJV)

Context

Luke 24 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Luke, recording the resurrection of Jesus and His appearances to His followers. The chapter opens with women discovering the empty tomb and hearing angels declare that Jesus has risen, just as He had said. They report this to the apostles, but the two disciples walking to Emmaus remain sorrowful and confused, still processing the crucifixion and the puzzling reports of the empty tomb.

In Luke 24:13-24, these two disciples are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, discussing everything that had happened. When a stranger joins them, they explain their sadness. Their words in this verse summarize the judicial process that led to Jesus’ death: the chief priests and Jewish rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and crucified. The phrase “chief priests and our rulers” points to both the religious and civil leadership of the Jewish people, who initiated the accusation and demanded His execution.

Meaning

The disciples’ words reflect their deep disappointment. They had hoped Jesus was the one to redeem Israel, but His crucifixion seemed to shatter that hope. The phrase “delivered him to be condemned to death” emphasizes the wrongful condemnation and betrayal by the religious authorities. Although Roman soldiers carried out the execution, the text attributes the crucifixion to these leaders because they drove the process, handing Jesus over to Pilate and pressing for His death.

The crucifixion was a brutal and shameful form of execution, and the disciples’ mention of it underscores the weight of their grief. Yet this verse also sets the stage for the revelation of His resurrection. The apparent triumph of the crucifixion was not the end of the story. Even in this moment of despair, God’s determinate counsel and foreknowledge were at work, using the actions of these leaders to accomplish His redemptive plan.

Biblical connections

The opposition of the chief priests and rulers to Jesus is a recurring theme in Luke’s Gospel. From early in His ministry, they challenged His authority and sought to silence Him, ultimately leading to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. This verse connects to the broader narrative of their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

Application

Like the Emmaus disciples, we can become so consumed by our circumstances that we fail to see Jesus at work. Their sadness was real, but it was incomplete because they did not yet understand the resurrection. This verse encourages us to bring our disappointments to Jesus, trusting that He is present even when we do not recognize Him.

The crucifixion also reminds us of the cost of our redemption. Jesus was delivered to death by human authorities, yet His death was not a tragedy but a sacrifice determined by God. When we face seasons of confusion or shattered hopes, we can remember that God’s purposes are not defeated by human opposition. The same Jesus who walked with those disciples walks with us, opening the Scriptures and revealing Himself to our hearts.

Reflection

How often do we, like the disciples, recount our trials without recognizing the risen Christ beside us? Their story invites us to move from despair to hope, from confusion to clarity, as Jesus reveals Himself through His Word and in the breaking of bread. The crucifixion was not the final word; the resurrection was. And that same resurrection power is at work in our lives today.