Luke 24 Bible in Basic English
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 But on the first day of the week, at dawn, they came to the place where his body had been put, taking the spices which they had got ready.
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2 And they saw that the stone had been rolled away.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 And they went in, but the body of the Lord Jesus was not there.
3 They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.
4 And while they were in doubt about it, they saw two men in shining clothing by them:
4 While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.
5 And while their faces were bent down to the earth in fear, these said to them, Why are you looking for the living among the dead?
5 Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. The men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, he has come back to life: have in mind what he said to you when he was still in Galilee, saying,
6 He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee,
7 The Son of man will be given up into the hands of evil-doers, and be put to death on the cross, and on the third day he will come back to life.
7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”
8 And his words came back into their minds,
8 They remembered his words,
9 And they went away from that place and gave an account of all these things to the eleven disciples and all the others.
9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James: and the other women with them said these things to the Apostles.
10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles.
11 But these words seemed foolish to them, and they had no belief in them.
11 These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them.
12 But Peter got up and went to the place where the body had been put, and looking in he saw nothing but the linen cloths, and he went to his house full of wonder at what had taken place.
12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.
13 And then, two of them, on that very day, were going to a little town named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.
14 And they were talking together about all those things which had taken place.
14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.
15 And while they were talking and questioning together, Jesus himself came near and went with them.
15 While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were not open that they might have knowledge of him.
16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, What are you talking about together while you go?
17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
18 Then stopping, and looking sadly at him, one of them, named Cleopas, said to him, Are you the only man living in Jerusalem who has not had news of the things which have taken place there at this time?
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”
19 And he said to them, What things? And they said, The things to do with Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, great in his acts and his words, before God and all the people:
19 He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers gave him up to be put to death on the cross.
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we were hoping that he would be the Saviour of Israel. In addition to all this he has now let three days go by from the time when these things took place;
21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 And certain women among us gave us cause for wonder, for they went early to the place where his body had been put,
22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb;
23 And it was not there; then they came saying that they had seen a vision of angels who said that he was living.
23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 And some of those who were with us went to the place, and saw that it was as the women had said, but him they did not see.
24 Some of us went to the tomb and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
25 And he said, O foolish men! how slow you are to give belief to what the prophets have said.
25 He said to them, “Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to go through these things, and to come into his glory?
26 Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?”
27 And he made clear to them all the things in the Writings, from Moses and from all the prophets, which had to do with himself.
27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they came near the town to which they were going, and he seemed as if he was going on;
28 They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.
29 But they kept him back, saying, Do not go, for evening is near, the day is almost gone. And he went in with them.
29 They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them.
30 And when he was seated with them at table, he took the bread, and said words of blessing and, making division of it, he gave it to them.
30 When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them.
31 And then their eyes were open, and they had knowledge of him, but he went from their view.
31 Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said to one another, Were not our hearts burning in us while he was talking to us on the way, making clear to us the holy Writings?
32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 And that very hour they got up and went back to Jerusalem, where the eleven and the others had come together.
33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,
34 And they said to them, The Lord has truly come back to life again, and Simon has seen him.
34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
35 And they gave an account of the things which had taken place on the way, and how, when he gave them bread, they had knowledge of him.
35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
36 And while they were saying these things, he himself was among them, and said to them, Peace be with you!
36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
37 But they were full of fear, being of the opinion that they were seeing a spirit.
37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said to them, Why are you troubled, and why are your hearts full of doubt?
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 See; my hands and my feet: it is I myself; put your hands on me and make certain; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.
39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”
40 And when he had said this, he let them see his hands and his feet.
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 And because, for joy and wonder, they were still in doubt, he said to them, Have you any food here?
41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 And they gave him a bit of cooked fish.
42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
43 And before their eyes he took a meal.
43 He took them, and ate in front of them.
44 And he said to them, These are the words which I said to you when I was still with you, how it was necessary for all the things which are in the writings of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms about me, to be put into effect.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.”
45 Then he made the holy Writings clear to their minds.
45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.
46 And he said to them, So it is in the Writings that the Christ would undergo death, and come back to life again on the third day;
46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
47 And that teaching about a change of heart and forgiveness of sins is to be given to Jerusalem first and to all nations in his name.
47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 And now I will send to you what my father has undertaken to give you, but do not go from the town, till the power from heaven comes to you.
49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 And he took them out till they were near Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he gave them a blessing.
50 He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
51 And while he was doing so, he went from them and was taken up into heaven.
51 While he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they gave him worship and went back to Jerusalem with great joy.
52 They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 And they were in the Temple at all times, giving praise to God.
53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Cleopas
One of two disciples walking to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection, who told the unrecognized Jesus of the events in Jerusalem.
Cited in the guide: Luke 24:18
Joanna
Wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, among the women healed who ministered to Jesus out of their means, and one who told the apostles of the empty tomb.
Cited in the guide: Luke 8:3; Luke 24:10
Places
Bethany
Bethany was Jesus' lodging near Jerusalem during Passion week and the home of Lazarus. Luke sets the Ascension close by.
Cited in the guide: John 11:1; John 12:1; Luke 24:50
Emmaus
Emmaus's location is disputed — Emmaus Nicopolis, Abu Ghosh, el-Qubeibeh, and Motza are all proposed (approximate location). It is remembered for the risen Christ's road encounter.
Cited in the guide: Luke 24:13; Luke 24:30-31
Cross references (50)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 John 20:1–2; Matthew 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:10; Luke 23:55–56
- 2 Matthew 27:60–66; Mark 16:3–4; John 20:1–2; Mark 15:46–47; Matthew 28:2
- 3 Luke 24:23; John 20:6–7
- 4 John 20:11–12; Mark 16:5; Acts 1:10; Matthew 28:2–6; Genesis 18:2
- 5 Mark 16:5–6; Revelation 1:18; Matthew 28:3–5; Revelation 2:8; Luke 1:12–13
- 6 Matthew 17:22–23; Luke 9:22; Mark 8:31; Matthew 28:6; Matthew 27:63
- 7 Matthew 16:21
- 8 John 14:26; John 12:16; John 2:19–22
- 9 Matthew 28:7–8; Mark 16:7–8; Luke 24:22–24; Mark 16:10
- 10 Mark 15:40–41; Luke 8:2–3; Matthew 27:56; John 20:11–18; Mark 16:9–11
- 11 Job 9:16; Mark 16:11; Psalm 126:1; Genesis 19:14; 2 Kings 7:2
- 12 John 20:3–10
- 13 Luke 24:18; Mark 16:12–13
- 14 Luke 6:45; Deuteronomy 6:7
- 15 Matthew 18:20; Luke 24:36; John 14:18–19
- 16 John 20:14; John 21:4; Luke 24:31; Mark 16:12; 2 Kings 6:18–20
- 17 John 16:6; John 16:20–22; Ezekiel 9:4–6
- 18 John 19:25
- 19 Matthew 21:11; Luke 7:16; John 6:14; John 4:19; John 3:2
- 20 Matthew 27:20; Acts 3:13–15; Luke 23:13; Acts 4:8–10; Acts 13:27–29
- 21 Luke 1:68; Isaiah 59:20; Luke 2:38; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Psalm 130:8
- 22 Mark 16:9–10; Matthew 28:7–8; John 20:1–2; John 20:18; Luke 24:1–11
- 24 Luke 24:12; John 20:1–10
- 25 Mark 9:19; Mark 7:18; Hebrews 5:11–12; Mark 16:14; Mark 8:17–18
- 26 1 Peter 1:11; Zechariah 13:7; Isaiah 53:1–12; Acts 17:3; Hebrews 2:8–10
- 27 Isaiah 7:14; Luke 24:44; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 53:1–12; Jeremiah 33:14–15
- 28 Mark 6:48; Genesis 19:2; Genesis 42:7; Genesis 32:26
- 29 2 Kings 4:8; Genesis 19:3; Luke 14:23; Acts 16:14
- 30 Matthew 14:19; Luke 24:35; Matthew 15:36; Luke 9:16; Acts 27:35
- 31 Luke 24:16; John 8:59; Luke 4:30; John 20:13–16
- 32 Luke 24:45; Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 39:3; Jeremiah 15:16
- 33 John 20:19–26; Mark 16:13; Acts 1:14
- 34 1 Corinthians 15:5; Mark 16:7; Luke 22:54–62
- 35 Mark 16:12–13; Acts 2:42; Luke 24:30–31
- 36 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Isaiah 57:18; Luke 10:5; John 20:19–23; Mark 16:14
- 37 Matthew 14:26–27; Mark 6:49–50; Job 4:14–16; 1 Samuel 28:13; Acts 12:15
- 38 Jeremiah 4:14; Hebrews 4:13; Daniel 4:19; Daniel 4:5; Matthew 16:8
- 39 John 20:27; 1 John 1:1; Ecclesiastes 12:7; John 20:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- 41 John 21:5; Psalm 126:1–2; John 21:10–13; Job 9:16; John 16:22
- 43 Acts 10:41
- 44 Zechariah 12:10; Luke 24:26–27; Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 110:1–7; Acts 13:33
- 45 Acts 16:14; 1 John 5:20; Psalm 119:18; 2 Corinthians 3:14–18; Acts 26:18
- 46 Isaiah 53:2–12; Isaiah 50:6; Luke 24:44; Luke 24:26–27; Luke 24:7
- 47 Acts 5:31; Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 20:21
- 48 Acts 13:31; Acts 2:32; Acts 1:8; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:41
- 49 Acts 1:8; Acts 1:4; Joel 2:28–32; John 14:26; Isaiah 32:15
- 50 Acts 1:12; Mark 11:1; Genesis 49:28; Matthew 21:17; Numbers 6:23–27
- 51 Acts 1:9; Mark 16:19; John 20:17; 2 Kings 2:11; Hebrews 1:3
- 52 Matthew 28:9; Psalm 30:11; 1 Peter 1:8; John 16:22; John 20:28
- 53 Mark 16:20; Acts 5:41–42; Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:46–47; Revelation 22:21
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
The Lord appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, as ye have heard, and saluted them, saying, "Peace be unto you." This is peace indeed, and the salutation of salvation: for the very word salutation has received its name from salvation. And what can be better than that Salvation Itself should salute man? For Christ is our Salvation.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
… was that the Lord discoursed with the disciples after His resurrection from the dead, proving to them from the Scriptures themselves "that Christ must suffer, and enter into His glory, and that remission of sins should be preached in His name throughout all the world." And the disciple will be perfected, and [rendered] like the householder, "who bringeth forth from …
O ye sons of men, how long so slow of heart? Even now, after the Life is descended to you, will ye not ascend and live?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
let the heretics be silenced who speak against His humanity, for they speak against Him, who saith, Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
His running to the fig-tree, His shrinking, that is, His drawing back, His praying, and His making as though He would have gone further For neither as God nor as man was He in need of these or similar things, but only because His form was that of a man as necessity and expediency demanded.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 9 (1899)