Thank you for the application question on Luke 24:1–12, “What is the reflection in Luke 24:1-12?”
As one reads the text, Luke, the companion of Paul, summarizes the first day of the resurrection from his first hand investigation of Jesus’ resurrection. There is the belief among the women and Jesus’ followers that their teacher and lord has died. They saw him being crucified and the women saw him being entombed.
It would be nearly impossible for Jesus to fake his death. The loss of blood from being flogged, the nails in his hands and feet as well as the spear being thrust into his side would indicated that he was dead. Pilate was even suspicious that he was dead and wanted confirmation (Mark 15:42–46).
John gives this account about Jesus’ death, “31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced” (NIV).
Even if Jesus was to be revived from being in the tomb and somehow manage to break free from his burial wrapping, he would not be able to roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb. Would the guards who were to guard the tomb looked to see if there was a body in the tomb? One would think so for the Jews were fearful that the disciples would steal the body. They had to make sure there was a body in that tomb. Would they risk guarding an empty tomb and taking the blame for it? Unlikely.
If the disciples stole the body of Jesus, the women would not go to the tomb unless the disciples kept it a secret from them. The disciples saw the women preparing to anoint the body. Would they allow the women to the tomb when they have the body of Jesus? It would seem more likely that the disciples would tell the women so that they can secretly anoint the body of Jesus.
If the disciple stole the body of Jesus, why would Peter and John run to the grave? They had a difficult time believing the words of the women who testified that angels spoke to them. They ran to the grave to see if that was true that Jesus’ body wasn’t in the grave. Certainly the religious Jews wouldn’t take the body, the women nor themselves. Would there be any reason for any other person to steal the body of Jesus or is it true that Jesus is alive and will meet them?
If a person was to be revived and break loose from the burial wrapping or strips of it, one would not take the time to place the burial cloth in its place. One would think that the strips of burial cloth would be all over the floor of the tomb. This doesn’t seem to be the case. When Lazarus came out of his burial tomb, he was bound and others had to release him. It would be no small task for Jesus to unwrap himself.
The confirmation that removes any doubt comes from the angel who spoke to the women. If the women were imagining that Jesus was alive, the disciples would have found the body of Jesus inside the tomb. The presence of angels in Luke’s account reflect their belief in another spiritual dimension for Jesus asserted that he could send legions to his rescue.
Summary: Luke’s record of the women and the disciples of Jesus respond would be what one would have expected. They believed that Jesus their master and teacher was dead on Thursday through the day after the Sabbath.
-KingstonA