Luke 24:24

And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Luke 24:24 (KJV)

Context

Luke 24:24 is spoken by one of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, as they recount to the risen but unrecognized Jesus the events of the past three days. They report that certain of them which were with them went to the sepulchre and found it empty, just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus. This verse is part of the Emmaus narrative, where the disciples are sharing their doubts and disbelief. The immediate context includes the women’s report of a vision of angels who said Jesus was alive. The disciples’ own verification of the empty tomb did not produce faith in the resurrection; they remained perplexed and slow to believe.

Meaning

The verse affirms the reality of the empty tomb. The women who went to the tomb found it empty, just as they had been told by the angels. The phrase “but him they saw not” highlights the skepticism and doubt of some of the disciples. Despite the testimony of the women and the empty tomb, they struggled to believe that Jesus had risen. This doubt serves as a reminder that faith requires trust in the unseen, even when circumstances may seem contrary. The empty tomb was a necessary but insufficient evidence without the interpretive word of Scripture and the personal revelation of Jesus. The disciples had the evidence but lacked the spiritual insight to draw the right conclusion.

Biblical connections

The cross-reference to John 20:3 confirms that Peter and John went to the tomb, providing a parallel account of this verification. The following verse (Luke 24:25) records Jesus’ rebuke: “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” This sets the stage for Jesus to open their understanding through the Scriptures (Luke 24:27).

Application

Luke 24:24 encourages us to examine our own faith and response to the resurrection of Jesus. It challenges us to trust in the testimony of reliable witnesses and to seek a personal encounter with the risen Christ. Additionally, it reminds us to guard against doubt and unbelief, acknowledging that faith requires trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances may seem contrary. Although the disciples initially doubted, subsequent verses in Luke 24 recount how Jesus appeared to them, addressing their doubts and strengthening their faith. This highlights the personal and transformative nature of encountering the risen Christ. It is not enough to rely solely on the testimonies of others; each individual must have their own encounter with Jesus.

Reflection

The verse emphasizes the importance of reliable testimony. The women faithfully reported what they had witnessed and heard from the angels, but not everyone immediately believed them. However, their testimony played a crucial role in paving the way for the disciples to eventually encounter the resurrected Jesus themselves. In summary, Luke 24:24 captures a pivotal moment in the resurrection account, highlighting doubt, the importance of reliable testimony, and the need for personal encounters with the risen Christ. Through this verse, we are reminded of the central role of the resurrection in the Christian faith and the transformative power it holds for believers.