The Risen Christ: Empty Tomb Fulfills Prophetic Promise
The empty tomb proclaims resurrection victory.
Luke 24:1–12 (BSB)
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.
5 As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee:
7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’”
8 Then they remembered His words.
9 And 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 But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.
12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
What is the big idea of Luke 24:1–12?
The empty tomb proclaims resurrection victory.
How does Luke 24:1–12 point to Christ?
Jesus rose bodily from the dead, vindicating His atoning death; all who trust in the risen Lord receive forgiveness, justification, and the promise of eternal life.
How does Luke 24:1–12 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women come to the tomb bringing the spices they prepared. They find the stone rolled away, but when they enter they do not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they are perplexed, two men in dazzling apparel stand beside them. The women are frightened and bow their faces to the ground. The men say, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day rise.' They remember His words and report all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Their words seem like nonsense to them. Peter, however, runs to the tomb, sees the linen cloths by themselves, and goes home marveling at what has happened. The risen Christ vindicates His own predictions and inaugurates the new creation on the first day.
Authorial Intent
To confirm the bodily resurrection of Jesus and demonstrate fulfillment of His prophetic prediction.
Literary Context
Following the burial narrative (23:50–56), this passage opens the resurrection chapter and sets up post-resurrection appearances (24:13–53). It centers on remembrance of Jesus’ prior teaching.
Chapter: Luke 24
The Risen Christ Opens the Scriptures, Commissions Witnesses, and Ascends in Blessing
The crucified Jesus is risen bodily, fulfills all Scripture, opens blind hearts and minds, commissions witnesses to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations, and ascends in blessing as the worshiped Lord.