Luke 24:46-50

Luke 24:46 (KJB)
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Jesus then explains to them that a three-fold pattern of fulfillment had to take place according to the Scriptures. First, Christ was to suffer under the religious leaders of Israel and physically on a Roman cross. Secondly, Christ was to die and then be buried. Thirdly, He was to rise from the dead on the third day.

Luke 24:47 (KJB)
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

This is the first hint that the Gospel is to be preached beyond the borders of Israel. The Gospel will begin to be preached at Jerusalem on Pentecost which was 50 days after the resurrection and 10 days after His ascension. Their message was to be that repentance and remission of sins were to be preached in the name of Christ. No longer would the Mosaic law have any authority in the realm of forgiveness of sins by way of its sacrifices and feasts. Repentance means a change of mind, what we once considered fun, we now see as sin with our spiritual eyes wide open. Remission of sins is forgiveness of sins which means that forgiveness only comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:31 KJV) Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 26:17-18 KJV) Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, {18} To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Luke 24:48 (KJB)
And ye are witnesses of these things.

The disciples were witnesses of all the miracles that Jesus did, the healings and to those who were delivered from devils. They were now witnesses of His crucifixion, death, and now His resurrection. These things are to be proclaimed to the world and the disciples, soon to be apostles, will begin to preach them at Jerusalem. The difference between a disciple and an apostle is the disciple is a learner or follower and the apostle is one who is sent. When the disciples are ready, they are then sent into the world to proclaim the Gospel.

Luke 24:49 (KJB)
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The disciples will not be ready to proclaim the gospel until the day that the promise of the Father will come upon them. The promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit who will indwell them and bring back to mind all the things the Lord Jesus Christ had taught them over the past three years. The Holy Spirit will empower them to preach the Gospel and also endure the persecution that they will face till the end of their lives. They were to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes upon them and then the proclaiming, in power, of the Gospel will begin.

Luke 24:50 (KJB)
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

This day was 40 days after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The day has finally come when He will depart from them in the physical sense. They were led outside of Jerusalem to Bethany and then Jesus lifts up His hands and pronounces a blessing upon them. (Lev 9:22 KJV) And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. Just as Aaron lifted up his hands and blessed the people, Jesus lifted His hands and blessed His people, the disciples.

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