Luke 22-24
New Catholic Bible
The Passion and Resurrection[a]
Chapter 22
The Conspiracy against Jesus.[b] 1 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, known as the Passover, was drawing near, 2 and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.
Judas Betrays Jesus.[c] 3 Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. 4 And he went to the chief priests and temple guards to discuss how he might betray Jesus to them 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He accepted their offer and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.
The Last Supper[d]
The Preparations for the Passover.[e] When the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread arrived, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed, 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make the preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to make the preparations?”10 He replied, “When you enter the city, a man will meet you carrying a jug of water. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says this to you: “Where is the room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 12 Then he will show you a large upper room that is furnished. Make the preparations there.” 13 They went forth and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
14 The Last Supper.[f] When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table along with the apostles. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you that from this moment on I shall never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from this moment I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 Jesus Gives His Body and His Blood.[g] Then he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you. Do this in memory of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be poured out for you.
21 The Betrayer Foretold.[h]“But behold, the hand of the one who will betray me is here with me on the table. 22 The Son of Man goes on his appointed path, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” 23 Then they began to question among themselves as to which one of them might do this.
24 The Disciples Are To Serve on Earth.[i] Then a dispute also broke out among them as to which one of them should be considered the greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them are given the title of ‘Benefactor.’[j]
26 “But it must not be so with you. Rather, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater—the one seated at table or the one who serves? Surely, the one who sits at table. And yet I am in your midst as one who serves.
28 Judges of the Twelve Tribes.[k]“You are the ones who have stood by my side in my trials, 29 and now I confer on you a kingdom just as my Father has conferred one on me. 30 In my kingdom, you will eat and drink at my table, and you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.[l]
31 Peter’s Denial Foretold.[m]“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to sift all of you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed that your own faith may not fail. And once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brethren.” 33 Simon said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
35 Instructions for the Time of Crisis.[n] Then Jesus said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or sack or sandals, were you ever in need of anything?” They answered, “No, not a thing.” 36 He then remarked, “But now, the one who has a money bag should take it with him, as well as a sack. And if you do not have a sword, sell your cloak and purchase one.
37 “For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was numbered with the wicked.’ Indeed, everything written about me is being fulfilled.” 38 They said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”
The Passion
39 The Agony in the Garden.[o] Jesus then went forth and made his way, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 After withdrawing from them about a stone’s throw, he knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.”
43 [p]Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish, he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like great drops of blood falling on the ground.
45 When he rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted by grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
47 Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested.[q] While he was still speaking, a crowd of men suddenly approached, and the one called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He came up to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When Jesus’ disciples realized what was about to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck a servant of the high priest, slicing off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “Stop! No more of this!” He then touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come for him, “Why are you coming forth with swords and clubs as though I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not raise a hand against me. But this is the hour for you and the power of darkness.”[r]
54 Peter Denies Jesus.[s] Then they arrested Jesus and led him away. They brought him into the house of the high priest, and Peter followed at a distance. 55 Lighting a fire in the middle of the courtyard, they sat around it, and Peter sat with them.
56 A servant girl saw him sitting by the fire, looked closely at him, and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them,” but Peter replied, “No, I am not.”
59 About an hour later, another person strongly insisted, “This man was unquestionably with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” At that very moment, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed, 61 and the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter recalled the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept uncontrollably.
63 The men who were guarding Jesus began to mock him and to beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they continued to taunt him with insult after insult.
66 Jesus before the Sanhedrin.[t] When the dawn came, the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes, assembled, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.[u] 67 Then they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us!” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I question you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
70 All of them asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “It is you who say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What need do we have for any further testimony? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”
Chapter 23
Jesus before Pilate.[v] 1 Then the entire assembly rose and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We charge this man with subverting our nation, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming that he is the Christ, a king.” 3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He replied, “You have said so.”
4 Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no evidence of a crime in this man.” 5 But they continued to insist, saying, “He is stirring up the people by his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee, where he started, all the way to here.”
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean, 7 and upon learning that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Jesus before Herod.[w] 8 Herod was delighted when he saw Jesus, for he had heard about him and had been hoping for some time to see him and perhaps to witness him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at length, but Jesus gave him no reply.
10 The chief priests and the scribes meanwhile were present, and they vehemently made accusations against him. 11 Herod and his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then Herod had him clothed in an elegant robe and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends, although previously they had been enemies.
13 Jesus before Pilate Again.[x]Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man before me and accused him of inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him here in your presence and have not found him guilty of any of the charges you have brought against him. 15 Nor did Herod, for he has sent him back to us. It is clear that he has done nothing deserving of death. 16 Therefore, I will have him scourged and then release him.”
Jesus Is Condemned to Death. [17 Now Pilate was obliged to release one man to them at the time of the festival.][y] 18 And then the crowd all shouted in unison, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been imprisoned for an insurrection that had occurred in the city as well as for murder.) 20 In his desire to release Jesus, Pilate again pleaded with them, 21 but, they continued to shout, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 A third time he addressed them: “Why? What evil has he done? I have not found in him any crime that deserves death. Therefore, I will have him scourged and let him go.”
23 However, with loud shouts they continued to insist that he should be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 Pilate ordered that what they wanted was to be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed over Jesus to them to deal with as they wished.
26 The Way of the Cross.[z] As they led him away, they seized a man from Cyrene named Simon, who was returning from the country. They put the cross on his back and forced him to carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed Jesus, among them many women who were mourning and lamenting over him.
28 But he turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep rather for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore children and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Jesus Is Crucified.[aa] There were also two others, both criminals, who were led away to be executed with him. 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified[ab] Jesus there along with the two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[ac] And they cast lots to divide his garments.
35 The people stood there watching.[ad] Meanwhile, the rulers jeered at him and said, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36 Even the soldiers mocked him. As they came forward to offer him sour wine, 37 they said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription above his head that said, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals hanging there taunted Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, “Have you no fear of God, since you are under the same sentence? 41 In our case, we have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds. But this man has committed no wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”[ae]
44 Jesus Dies on the Cross.[af] It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun was darkened. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 He cried out, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And with these words he breathed his last.[ag]
47 On seeing what had taken place, the centurion praised God and said, “Surely, this man was innocent.” 48 When all the people who had gathered there to witness the spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.[ah] 49 However, all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance and watched all these events.
50 Jesus Is Buried.[ai] Now there was a good and upright man named Joseph[aj] who was a member of the council. 51 However, he had not agreed to their plan and the action they had taken. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was awaiting the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and requested the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of rock in which no one had ever been interred. 54 It was the Day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph. They saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. But on the Sabbath they rested in obedience to the commandment.
The Resurrection
Chapter 24
Jesus Rises from the Dead.[ak] 1 At daybreak on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they stood there wondering about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes appeared at their side. 5 They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look among the dead for one who is alive? 6 He is not here. He has been raised. Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee: 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified and rise again on the third day.” 8 Then they recalled his words.
9 When they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 However, this story of theirs seemed to be nonsense, and the apostles did not believe them. 12 Nonetheless, Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he looked inside and saw only the linen cloths. Then he returned home, wondering what had occurred.
13 Jesus Appears to Two Disciples at Emmaus.[al] Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred. 15 While they were conversing and discussing these events, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing with each other as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces filled with sadness. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who is not aware of all the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 When he asked, “What things?” they replied, “The things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in word and deed before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death and had him crucified.
21 “We had been hoping that he would be the one who would redeem Israel. And what is more, this is the third day since all of this took place. 22 Some women from our group have now given us astounding news. They went to the tomb early this morning, 23 but they failed to find his body. When they returned, they told us that they had seen a vision of angels who reported that he was alive. 24 Some of our companions went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had said, but they did not see him.”
25 Then he said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then, beginning with Moses and going through all the Prophets, he interpreted for them all the passages from the Scriptures that pertained to him.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he acted as though he would be going further. 29 However, they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” And so he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They set out immediately and returned to Jerusalem, where they found gathered together the Eleven and their companions 34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised, and he has appeared to Simon!”[am] 35 Then the two described what had happened on their journey and how he had made himself known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36 Jesus Appears to the Disciples in Jerusalem.[an] While they were still conversing about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 Startled and terrified, they thought that they were seeing a ghost.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why are doubts arising in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself. Touch me and see. For a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 In spite of their joy and amazement, they were still incredulous. So he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, “This is what I meant when I told you while I was still with you: Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Thereupon, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
46 And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that in his name repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses to all these things.
49 “And behold, I am sending upon you the gift promised by my Father. Therefore, stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50 Jesus Ascends to Heaven.[ao] Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he departed from them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple praising God.
Footnotes
- Luke 22:1 The salvation of human beings is accomplished in a unique event: Christ’s Death and Resurrection. This is the Paschal mystery. The account that follows is fashioned by this principal testimony; hence it must be read as a unified whole. From the beginnings of the Church, this is the Gospel, the essence of the Christian announcement.
- Luke 22:1 Before the episodes of the Passion unfold, the plot thickens with the adversaries of Jesus. The leaders of the people take the initiative in the plot, and the traitor serves them as an instrument, but it is the spirit of evil who initiates the last combat.
- Luke 22:3 See note on Mt 26:14-16.
- Luke 22:7 Now we see the initiative of Jesus, which appears so clearly in this last supper. The account is an integral part of the Passion, i.e., the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, for the Church that announces the Gospel of Christ the Savior is also the Christian community that celebrates the Eucharist, the memorial of salvation. Jesus enters the decisive event; this last act is, as it were, the summary of his every act and word: sharing, offering, gift, presence, and covenant of God in the midst of his followers.
7
Luke has placed actions and words of Jesus here that the other evangelists report in other contexts. This is so the community can meditate on them each time it assembles to break the bread of the Lord. He thus leaves us a liturgical rule (the text of the Eucharistic institution) and, connected with it, communitary and missionary directives. - Luke 22:7 Jesus takes the initiative, freely and fully, for this last Passover of the old covenant, this repast that inaugurates a new covenant.
- Luke 22:14 For the Jews, the Passover is the memorial of the liberation of the people (see Ex 12); for Jesus, it prefigures the Messianic Banquet in which all human beings are reunited in the presence of God. All his hope for happiness becomes a promise for believers.
- Luke 22:19 In a prophetic gesture Jesus proclaims and establishes the new covenant between God and humanity (see Ex 24:8; Jer 31:31), which he is preparing to seal by his freely accepted sacrifice. In this action, by changing the bread and wine into his body and blood (see 1 Cor 10:6; 11:23-27), he institutes the Eucharist, which calls to mind and renders present to the gathered community his act of love for humanity (see Acts 2:42, 46). Along with Paul, Luke has preserved for us what is perhaps one of the earliest texts of the first Christian Eucharists.
- Luke 22:21 The announcement of Judas’s plan stresses the initiative of Jesus, who does not deviate from his sacrifice. Celebrating the Eucharist, believers and the leaders of the community must question themselves concerning their loyalty toward the Lord.
- Luke 22:24 To celebrate the Eucharist means to abandon one’s search for honor and to discover that all authority in the Christian community has no other title except that of service.
- Luke 22:25 Benefactor: a term often used for leaders of pagan nations.
- Luke 22:28 See note on Mt 19:27-30.
- Luke 22:30 The image, drawn from the Jewish tradition, signifies a privileged share in the glory of the Messiah.
- Luke 22:31 It is not in the quality of her human leaders but in the prayer of Jesus that the Church finds the assurance of perseverance in the faith.
- Luke 22:35 A time of happiness is ending. Henceforth, the Church must confront trials. And she must not think of defending herself with the weapons employed by societies to achieve their freedom or ensure their interests.
- Luke 22:39 Tempted to refuse the terrible and humiliating trial of the cross, Jesus struggles in prayer to accept the will of the Father. The divine aid that he receives, as once Elijah did (see 1 Ki 19:7-8), does not mitigate the tragedy of the moment. This passage remains one of the great texts on the distress of human beings in the face of their death. It is intended to be a lesson, as is emphasized, from its beginning to its end, by the repeated invitation to pray so as not to be the prey of a temptation that seems to be all-consuming.
- Luke 22:43 These two verses are not found in some early mss.
- Luke 22:47 Immediately cutting short any resistance on the part of his disciples, Jesus heals the servant wounded by one of them—this is the single miracle in the account of the Passion. It is typical of Luke that the servant be healed (for tradition holds that Luke was a physician).
- Luke 22:53 All the events happen under the sign of Satan, who has stirred up the powers of darkness against Jesus.
- Luke 22:54 Luke seems to report the true chronology of the events more exactly than Matthew and Mark. After his arrest, Jesus is quickly brought to the house of the high priest, where Annas his predecessor most likely also dwelled. Annas interrogates him but in a private manner (Jn 18:12-24). While Jesus is waiting for the trial, which according to Luke took place only in the morning, the guards pass time by insulting him and making fun of him.
Peter finds himself in the same courtyard and, recognized by the bystanders, denies his Master. Jesus, who has probably heard everything from where he stood, looks at him (a point mentioned only by Luke), strengthening him in his faith that had been profoundly shaken (v. 61). Note how Luke does not emphasize the crescendo of the denials. Rather, he attenuates them, and moreover does not speak of curses and oaths. - Luke 22:66 In contrast to Matthew and Mark, Luke does not mention the false testimonies brought against Jesus. In any case, the authorities have resolved to put him to death and seek only to have their decision confirmed. Jesus speaks solemnly about his mission and his person. He is the Envoy of God, united with him in a very particular way, and his kingdom will be inaugurated henceforth, from his Resurrection (v. 69; Ps 110:1; Dan 7:13).
- Luke 22:66 Sanhedrin: see note on Mk 14:55.
- Luke 23:1 The Roman governor, who usually resided at Caesarea in Palestine, was in the religious capital at the time when the Passover was being celebrated. The religious leaders accuse Jesus before him as the civil power. Twisting the reality (see Lk 21:20-26), they invent political wrongs so as to have Jesus put to death. From the beginning the Roman governor is convinced of Jesus’ innocence, and he would prefer to extricate himself from this case and give it to others, for it could create nothing but trouble for him with the people and the leaders.
- Luke 23:8 Also present in Jerusalem was Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, a man interested in extraordinary phenomena, ready to be scornful of them, and unwilling to accept any responsibility (see Lk 9:9; Acts 4:27).
- Luke 23:13 Pilate is convinced that the accused is innocent. But he proposes to punish him so that the authorities might have the impression of having been heard. Finally, he yields to violence. Luke emphasizes above all the decisive responsibility of the leaders of the people. See notes on Mt 27:11-26; 27:11; 27:14; 27:24; 27:25.
- Luke 23:17 Many manuscripts add this verse, probably taken from Mt 27:15 or Mk 15:6.
- Luke 23:26 In place of solitude, Luke speaks of numerous people who take pity on Jesus; the people are already distancing themselves from the ignoble decision of their leaders. This recalls the conversion announced by the prophet Zechariah (Zec 12:10-14). But Jesus is haunted by a sorrowful vision: the ruin of Jerusalem and the official religion in which the Word of God has no effect. See also note on Mk 15:21.
- Luke 23:32 Jesus is placed in the ranks of evildoers. He is stripped of his clothes and vinegar is presented to him, fulfilling Psalms 22:19 and 69:22 before our very eyes. The people are silent. The leaders make fun of a Messiah who wishes to save human beings. The soldiers deride his royal title, the reason for his condemnation well affixed to the wood of the cross. This apparently humiliated king testifies to a true royalty by the unheard-of love that he gives: he asks for pardon of his killers and welcomes into his kingdom the thief who repents. See also note on Mt 27:35.
- Luke 23:33 Crucified: see note on Mt 27:35.
- Luke 23:34 This is the first word uttered by Jesus from the cross, reported only by Luke, the evangelist of mercy and meekness. Its authenticity is seemingly not open to doubt even though it is omitted in numerous codices written in an anti-Semitic age.
- Luke 23:35 Stood there watching: Luke, the friend of the crowds, does not include the people with those leaders who insulted the Crucified. They are there to watch.
- Luke 23:43 This is the second word of the crucified Jesus, also reported only by Luke, and it concludes with the pardon of the good thief. Thus, salvation flows from the cross.
- Luke 23:44 The crucified Just One expires and everything bears testimony in his behalf: a prayer of complete trust rises to his lips, a pagan acknowledges his innocence, the people already manifest their repentance (see Zec 12:10), and his dear ones are nearby. Is this a tableau of desolation? Yet a mysterious expectation grips us.
- Luke 23:46 Luke omits the word of abandonment found in Matthew and Mark. Instead, Jesus dies as the prototypical good person, who at the end of his life commends his spirit into the hands of the Father. Luke leaves aside the citation from Psalm 22 and reports verse 6 of Psalm 31, the prayer that the rabbis were wont to recite in the evening and that is still recited today at Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.
- Luke 23:48 To the confession of the centurion, Luke adds that of the crowds, who had assisted in silence at the drama of the crucifixion. The centurion symbolizes the Roman world that recognizes the innocence and transcendental dignity of Christ, while the crowds indicate the rejection on the part of the chosen people.
- Luke 23:50 The burial of Jesus, a human gesture, must be accomplished before the rise of the evening star or before the lights are lit for the evening, for then the Sabbath will have arrived—when all work is prohibited.
- Luke 23:50 Man named Joseph: Luke shows the goodness of Joseph of Arimathea. At the same time, he shows that not every member of the Sanhedrin voted to condemn Jesus.
- Luke 24:1 The man who was thought to have been buried forever receives the important title “the Living One,” a title that the Old Testament reserves to the Lord (see Jos 3:10; Jdg 8:19; Rev 1:18), and the hearts of the witnesses are opened to the Word of God. This is the first Christian Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the new day (v. 1). Luke does not mention the order given to the disciples to wait for Jesus in Galilee; in his view, the mystery finds its completion in Jerusalem, and it is from Jerusalem that the Christian mission will make its way throughout the entire world.
- Luke 24:13 Since Friday nothing has taken place; God has not intervened. These two followers of Jesus are overwhelmed by the catastrophe and wounded in their hopes. A stranger overtakes them and seems indifferent to what has taken place. Indeed, he even knows how to explain its meaning. But a shared meal suffices for them to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
This is an astonishing lesson about the design of God and the meaning of the cross. The entire history of the people of God teaches us that suffering is a source of life and death is a passage to a resurrection. Christ, in whom the whole history of humanity is recapitulated, could follow no other road in order to open the entrance to the kingdom of his Father. This wonderful account of the disciples at Emmaus always teaches us the paths of faith and how everything is decided in the encounter with Christ, in the acceptance of his Word, in the acknowledgment of his presence. He no longer sojourns among us under earthly conditions: the essential thing is to live his Word and partake in his Eucharist. - Luke 24:34 In this verse Luke has included one of the earliest testimonies to the appearance of the Risen Lord to Peter (see Lk 22:21-32; 1 Cor 15:5).
- Luke 24:36 It is truly the Lord who is present, the one whom they have known and seen die. He therefore has truly risen! But nothing is as it was before: his presence is not explained; it merely attests, by its reality, that salvation is given, that death and sin are vanquished. Now the disciples realize that the salvation announced in a mysterious fashion by the Old Testament is accomplished in Jesus. And the Risen Lord charges them to proclaim it everywhere, to teach people about it by their testimony and by the power of the Spirit of Pentecost. This passage contains, in summary form, an entire model for Christian preaching: the fulfillment of the Scriptures and of God’s plan, the proclamation of forgiveness and conversion, the call to faith and holiness. The Book of Acts will tell how the Church carried out this mission.
- Luke 24:50 Recognized and worshiped as Lord by his disciples, Jesus is taken away from our world. The Gospel of Luke ends with this vision, which the Acts of the Apostles situates forty days later (Acts 1:2-3, 9-11). Regardless of the date and the unfolding, the event surpasses history and time; after his resurrection, Jesus is established in his dignity of the Son of God. Henceforth, we live on earth in the time of praise and bearing witness.
