Luke 24:36-53
Witnesses of the Risen Lord
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36While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
37But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.
38“Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.
41While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish,
43and He took it and ate it in front of them.
44Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
46And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
48You are witnesses of these things.
49And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.
52And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53praising God continually in the temple.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
While the disciples are speaking, Jesus Himself stands among them and says, “Peace be with you.” They are startled and frightened, thinking they see a spirit.
Jesus asks why they are troubled and why doubts arise in their hearts. He tells them to see His hands and feet and touch Him, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as they see that He has. They are joyful and still marveling, so He asks for something to eat. They give Him broiled fish, and He eats before them.
Jesus reminds them that everything written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled. He opens their minds to understand the Scriptures and tells them that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. The disciples are witnesses, and Jesus promises the Father's power from on high. They must remain in the city until that power comes. Their task begins with what he has done, and their ability to carry it out depends on what he will give.
He leads them out as far as Bethany, lifts His hands, and blesses them. While blessing them, He parts from them and is carried up into heaven. They worship Him, return to Jerusalem with great joy, and are continually in the temple blessing God.
The risen Jesus has given frightened disciples a message of forgiveness for the nations. His suffering fulfilled the Scriptures; his resurrection confirms that death did not hold him. He opens their understanding and promises help for their witness. Luke's Gospel ends with people waiting in worship because the Lord they have seen alive is still caring for the work ahead.
How We Know
Acts 1:1–11 continues the account with Jesus' appearances over forty days, his command to wait in Jerusalem, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension. It supplies detail for the events Luke brings together at the Gospel's close and identifies the promised power with the Spirit's coming. The disciples' witness will continue the story of what Jesus began to do and teach.
Questions
1 How do the disciples first react when Jesus appears?
AnswerThey are startled and frightened, thinking they see a spirit. Jesus responds to their fear rather than treating it as instant understanding.
2 How does Jesus show that He is bodily risen?
AnswerHe shows His hands and feet, invites touch, and eats broiled fish in front of them.
3 What message will be proclaimed to all nations?
AnswerRepentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in Jesus' name, beginning from Jerusalem.
4 What do the disciples do after Jesus ascends?
AnswerThey worship Him, return to Jerusalem with great joy, and remain in the temple blessing God while waiting for power from on high.
What This Means for Us
Luke ends with a physical resurrection, opened Scriptures, a worldwide mission, and worshipful joy. The disciples are not sent to invent a message; they are witnesses to what God has fulfilled in Christ.
The story moves from fear to understanding and then outward toward every nation. A household can receive that sequence patiently: bring doubts honestly, learn the Scriptures, worship Jesus, and let hope become testimony and mercy.
Prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, give us peace when fear and doubt rise. Open our minds to Scripture, make our household faithful witnesses to Your forgiveness, and fill us with joy that turns toward worship and service. Amen.