v1-3: The women returned to the tomb; this was a sign of their devotion to Christ. The title is used here of Christ; "the Lord Jesus." Luke points us to the reality that this is truly the Lord of Glory, the One worthy of worship.

v4-6: The appearance of two angels, like men in clothes that gleamed, frightened the women. They referred the women back to Jesus' own words, that He would be raised from the dead.

v7-8: Christ had been delivered into the hands of sinful men; He submitted Himself to them. He had repeatedly predicted this, even whilst He was still in Galilee, before His journey to Jerusalem (9.22, 44). As in v26, Christ had to suffer these things.

The women remembered that He had said these things, for they had been with Him. It is not more information that we need, but better recollection of the information we have.

v9-12: The women returned to the Eleven, and to "the others", disciples who had joined with them. In spite of Jesus' own words, and the testimony of the women, the Eleven did not believe. Many Jews would give no credence to a report from women. In this respect, Christ gave dignity to women; in His sight they were equal to men. Luke draws our attention to this first testimony of the empty tomb.

v13-16: Two of "the others" were walking to Emmaus, a short distance from Jerusalem. v22 describes how they had heard the women's testimonies. The events of the previous days were very much on their minds. The Lord Jesus appeared to them "in a different form" (Mark 16.12).

The uncertainty of both the location of Emmaus, which is not referred to elsewhere in Scripture, and the second person, whom some have suggested was Luke himself, may be of significance. v33 refers to the Eleven, indicating that neither of the two were of the Eleven. These matters are less important than the fact that Jesus Christ rose again; the fact that He spoke, walked, and ate with them, provide strong proof of His bodily resurrection.

v17-18: Jesus drew near. They were sad; Jesus' words of instruction would bring encouragement. Cleopas was amazed that the 'stranger' apparently knew nothing of the events in Jerusalem. Christ's crucifixion was evidently well known to many. Jesus was not made known to the disciples here, just as Joseph was initially unknown to his brothers, Gen 42.8.

v19-21: Their understanding of Christ's mission; they thought that He was going to redeem Israel, (compare Acts 1.6). Their words reflect a hope only in this life (1 Cor 15.19). Christ's questions reveal their knowledge of Him.

v22-24: The two disciples had heard the women's testimony, and that of other disciples who had seen the empty tomb, but not Christ Himself.

v25: Christ's rebuke; they were "slow of heart to believe". What God has spoken, whether in O.T. or N.T., we must accept what He has said. Our confidence is in the God who has spoken.

v26-27: Christ had to suffer, for the Scriptures had spoken. Scripture is more than just prediction and foreknowledge, but God's intention and pre-destiny. Christ explained to them that the O.T. was about Him (John 5.39). We must see Him as the major theme of the whole Bible.

The godly order; suffering, then glory, see Rom 8.18; 1 Pet 1.11.

v28-29: Jesus' action in appearing to be going further was perhaps another test. This time they invited Him to eat with them and to stay with them. The previous test was what they said to Him.

v30-31: At the meal table, their eyes were opened. They recognised Him when He broke the bread (see v36). Jesus had opened their spiritual understanding, and now He opened their eyes; see in v45 where He opened the minds of the Eleven and the others. We need to have our minds and understanding opened to the truths of Christ (Eph 1.18).

v32: The two disciples recalled how they felt whilst listening to Jesus on the road, that their hearts burned within them. They had listened and asked questions, respecting their companion on the road.

v33-35: They returned to Jerusalem, to find the Eleven and the others. The Eleven were already recognised as the leaders within the new community. Notice that there with others besides the Eleven, thus beginning to form the band of 120 which later met at Pentecost (Acts 1.15).

v36: Jesus' first words were "peace", bringing peace to the troubled disciples. Just a few days earlier, these men had departed from their Master. Many would have expected words of rebuke, disappointment, or even rejection. But the gracious Lord speaks peace. The prophecy of Zechariah and the announcement to the shepherds, were of peace, see 21.79; 2.14. Similarly, the Lord's own promise to the Eleven in John 16.33.

This is like the cave of Adullam, see 1 Sam 22.2. But here, until Christ comes, they are a leaderless, unhappy, group.

v37-39: Jesus knew their doubts, about whether He was a ghost. He insisted that He was a real body. Again, here is divine patience, leading the disciples into real and, in due course, stronger faith.

Angels and spirits are real, which the Lord implied here. However, He was neither.

v40-43: Jesus continued to demonstrate that He had a real physical body. He showed them His hands and feet, presumably showing them the marks of the nails. He also ate in their presence.

v44: The Scriptures had to be fulfilled, as in v26. Everything prophesied about the Lord Jesus in the O.T. had to happen.

Jesus used the usual expression to describe the whole of the Jewish Scriptures (our O.T.); the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.

v45-49: Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, just as He had to the two disciples on the road. The same method is our privilege, by the Spirit of Jesus Christ in us; He opens our understanding (Eph 1.17) through the Scriptures.

He showed them that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead; the events that they had witnessed had been prophesied centuries before. They were therefore part of God's great plan of salvation.

He spoke to them of the message of repentance and forgiveness, which they would preach, ultimately, to all nations. This message "will be preached." The way of multitudes to enter eternal life was and is through the preaching of this message. This task was not just for the Eleven, but for many throughout the world, and in every generation. Wherever and whoever - the message "will be preached."

They would go as witnesses. This was a key theme in Acts, see Acts 2.32; 10.39. They had a first hand knowledge of Jesus Christ.

God would equip them, with power from on high, Acts 1.8; the word refers to something that they did not already have. They had to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was sent, see Acts 2.

v50-53: The Lord Jesus was taken from them. The disciples, now full of joy, contrasting with the fear (v37), remained in Jerusalem, praising God. Even in His departure, He blessed them. His act of lifting His hands was the act of the High Priest, Lev 9.22; it is in this role that Christ now ministers to His people.