The Gospel of Mark begins the inscribed telling of Jesus’ resurrection. Matthew continues this tradition by adding Old Testament and Jewish apocalyptic language to Mark’s account. Luke concludes the Synoptic tradition of Jesus’ resurrection by laying before the reader a verbal canvas upon which he paints one of the most beautiful portraits of the climactic conclusion to Jesus’ ministry. 

Luke’s portrait includes several details and stories not found in the other gospel accounts. Notably, we see Luke’s expansion of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances from the road to Emmaus, to a closed room, through to the beginning of Acts. In doing so, Luke places the finishing touches on a picture begun in Genesis 1 and brought to completion in the resurrection of Jesus. 

The Road to Emmaus

One of Luke’s unique contributions to the resurrection story is Jesus’ appearance to Cleopas, and most likely his wife, as they travel to Emmaus (24:13–35). In this story, we see Luke bring together two major themes in his gospel: journeying and table fellowship. The bulk of Luke’s gospel takes place as Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem and, ultimately, his death. Additionally, throughout the gospel, we see Jesus engage in table fellowship, particularly with tax collectors and sinners, culminating in his institution of the Lord’s Supper. 

Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is an invitation for the reader to take this journey with Jesus. Jesus is journeying to the cross, and disciples of Jesus are called to pick up their own crosses and follow after Jesus (9:23). Now, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the call still stands to take a lifelong journey with Jesus. 

Jesus’ table fellowship is key to understanding Jesus. His table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners shows that his kingdom is for all people, especially the outcasts and marginalized. His table fellowship with his disciples, when he institutes the Lord’s Supper, not only calls into mind the inclusivity of the kingdom demonstrated throughout Jesus’ ministry, but also Jesus’ death and resurrection, the centerpiece of the gospel story. The road to Emmaus highlights both these points. Jesus shares a meal with Cleopas and his wife where “he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.” (24:30), reminiscent of the Lord’s Supper. It was at this moment that “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” Jesus’ identity, up to the final moments of the story, is found in his table fellowship. It is a reminder of his death, resurrection, and the inclusivity of the kingdom of God. It is the climax of God’s story. The biblical story begins with a meal, the fall of humanity (Genesis 3), and the opening of eyes to good and evil (Gen 3:7) and concludes with another meal with eyes being opened as a reminder of the victory of God’s kingdom over the kingdom of sin and death. 

A Lukan Bookend

Luke’s resurrection account also works to bookend the entire gospel. Luke’s gospel begins in the Temple, with an angel visiting Zechariah and prophesying about the birth of John the Baptist, which both Zechariah and Elizabeth cannot believe. The gospel ends in the Temple (24:53) with unbelief by both the women (24:11) and the disciples (24:37, 41). Additionally, Jesus’ birth prediction includes language of his salvation for the entire world (2:32) and, particularly, Israel (2:34). The story concludes with a call to proclaim the gospel to “all nations” (24:47) and the belief that Jesus is Israel’s redeemer (24:21). 

The Temple promises to begin the story have now taken on new meaning. God has fulfilled his promises. He has provided an all-inclusive salvation for the entire world (e.g., Jew, Gentile, male, female, rich, and poor). God has come to dwell with his people in Jesus of Nazareth. 

Fulfillment of Scripture

Finally, Luke’s resurrection account emphasizes Jesus as a fulfillment of Scripture. Twice in this final chapter, Jesus points to his resurrection as the culmination of Israel’s Scriptures (24:25–26, 44). At the beginning of Luke, we have the story of Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, getting halfway home and realizing Jesus is not with them, and then finding him in the Temple after a three-day search (2:46; note the parallel with Jesus spending three days in the grave). Jesus’s reasoning is that it is “necessary” for him to be about his Father’s work (2:49). In this closing scene, Jesus also says that it was “necessary” for the Messiah to suffer and enter into glory (24:25–26). 

Jesus’ journey (i.e., story) is the culmination of God’s journey/story with humanity. A story that began in Genesis 1 and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. A story where God gets the final say and where the kingdom of God wins the victory. A story in which all humanity is invited to take part and journey with Jesus on the road to redemption. 

by: Spencer Shaw

Check out the entire article series: Jesus’s Resurrection Through the Gospels