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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:50

He led them out as far as to Bethany - The difficulties in this verse, when collated with the accounts given by the other evangelists, are thus reconciled by Dr. Lightfoot. "I. This very evangelist ( Acts 1:12 ;) tells us, that when the disciples came back from the place where our Lord had ascended, they returned from mount Olivet, distant from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey. But now the town of Bethany was about fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem, John 11:18 , and that is double a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:51

Carried up into heaven - Ανεφερετο - into that heaven from which he had descended, John 1:18 ; John 3:13 . This was forty days after his resurrection, Acts 1:3 , during which time he had given the most convincing proofs of that resurrection, not only to the apostles, but to many others - to upwards of five hundred at one time, 1 Corinthians 15:6 . As in his life they had seen the way to the kingdom, and in his death the price of the kingdom, so in his ascension they had the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:52

They worshipped him - Let it be observed that this worship was not given by way of civil respect, for it was after he was parted from them, and carried back into heaven, that they offered it to him; but acts of civil respect are always performed in the presence of the person. They adored him as their God, and were certainly too much enlightened to be capable of any species of idolatry. Returned to Jerusalem with great joy - Having the fullest proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:53

Were continually in the temple - Especially till the day of pentecost came, when they received the promise, mentioned Luke 24:49 . Praising and blessing God - Magnifying his mercy, and speaking good of his name. Thus the days of their mourning were ended; and they began that life upon earth in which they still live in the kingdom of God. May the God of infinite love give the reader the same portion in time and in eternity, through the same glorious and ever-blessed Jesus! Amen and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:36

Verse 36 36.Jesus himself stood in the midst of them. While the Evangelist John copiously details the same narrative, (John 20:19,) he differs from Luke in some circumstances. Mark, too, differs somewhat in his brief statement. As to John, since he only collects what Luke omitted, both may be easily reconciled. There is no contradiction about the substance of the fact; unless some person were to raise a debate about the time: for it is there said that Jesus entered in the evening, while it is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:37

Verse 37 37.And they were terrified and affrighted. John does not mention this terror; but as he also says that Christ showed his hands and sides to the disciples, we may conjecture that some circumstance had been omitted by him. Nor is it at all unusual with the Evangelists, when they aim at brevity, to glance only at a part of the facts. From Luke, too, we learn that the terror excited in them by the strangeness of the spectacle was such, that they dare not trust their eyes. But a little ago,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:38

Verse 38 38.Why are you troubled? By these words they are exhorted to lay aside terror, and regain the possession of their minds, that, having returned to the rigor of their senses, they may judge of a matter which is fully ascertained; for so long as men are seized with perturbation, they are blind amidst the clearest light. In order, therefore, that the disciples may obtain undoubted information, they are enjoined to weigh the matter with calmness and composure. And why do thoughts arise in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:39

Verse 39 39.Look at my hands and my feet. He calls upon their bodily senses as witnesses, that they may not suppose that a shadow is exhibited to them instead of a body. And, first, he distinguishes between a corporeal man and a spirit; as if he had said, “Sight and touch will prove that I am a real man, who have formerly conversed with you; for I am clothed with that flesh which was crucified, and which still bears the marks of it.” Again, when Christ declares that his body may be touched, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:41

Verse 41 Luke 24:41.But while they yet believed not for joy. This passage shows also that they were not purposely incredulous, like persons who deliberately resolve not to believe; but while their will led them to believe eagerly, they were held bound by the vehemence of their feelings, so that they could not rest satisfied. For certainly the joy which Luke mentions arose from nothing but faith; and yet it hindered their faith from gaining the victory. Let us therefore observe with what... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:43

Verse 43 43.And he took, and ate it in their presence. Here we perceive, on the other hand, how kindly and gently Christ bears with the weakness of his followers, since he does not fail to give them this new support when they are falling. And, indeed, though he has obtained a new and heavenly life, and has no more need of meat and drink than angels have, still he voluntarily condescends to join in the common usages of mortals. During the whole course of his life, he had subjected himself to the... read more

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