Luke 23:50-56; 24:1-12
Q.1. What made the burial of Jesus unique? Who was Joseph? How was he described? – (Lk.23:23:50-53)
Under normal circumstances, convicted criminals were taken outside to the city dump, where their bodies were burned. It is surely incredible that here the prophecy of Scripture was fulfilled to the letter against all odds – His grave was assigned with wicked men; Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth (Is.53:9 c.f. Lk.23:50-53). One may have expected that some of the followers of Jesus might have tried to give Him a decent burial. Who would have expected a member of a Council that had condemned Jesus, to take such initiative? Joseph was from Arimathea. He was wealthy enough to have owned a newly cut tomb in the rock face outside the Garden of Gethsemane. The tomb had not yet been used. After gaining permission from Pilate, Joseph placed the dead body of Jesus in a linen cloth (Lk.23:52-53). Luke revealed that Joseph was a fair-minded, independent thinker who was awaiting the coming kingdom of God (Lk.23:50-51).
Q.2. What had the women planned to do? What astonishing news were they given? – (Lk.23:54-56; 24:1-6)
Some of the women who were followers of Jesus had heard about Joseph’s action and took note- how His body was laid – (Lk.23:55). They wanted to add spices and perfumes to properly embalm their beloved One, early on that Sunday morning (Lk.24:1). On the way they had discussed how they were going to roll the extremely large stone from the entrance of the tomb (c.f. Mk.16:3-4). However, a severe earthquake, commissioned by an angel had rolled away the stone (c.f. Mt.28:2; Lk.24:2). To their amazement – when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus (Lk.24:3). They were not perplexed for long, as two angels announced the momentous news – 5 …”Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He has risen … (Lk.24:5-6).
Q.3. How did the angels support their amazing claims? How was the testimony of the women received? – (Lk.24:6-11)
Throughout His ministry, Jesus had supported His claims from the Scriptures. The angels could have simply announced the resurrection. However, they actually supported their claims by quoting the predictions of Jesus – 6 … Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words (Lk.24:6-8 c.f. Lk.8:1-3; 9:22, 43-44). Their appeal was to reason, and not just mere experience. Sadly, the testimony of the women was not believed. The disciples considered the reports as nonsense (Lk.24:11).
Q.4. How did Peter become convinced about the resurrection of Jesus? – 24:11-12 c.f. Jn.20:1-10
It was not until Peter (and John) actually checked out the story, that they saw for themselves – the linen wrappings only (Lk.24:12) and were astounded that the women’s testimony was true. John reported in his Gospel –  6 So Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the facecloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed (Jn.20:6-8). Though it must have seemed unbelievable, the truth eventually sunk in, and they had no doubt that Jesus had actually been raised from the dead.