Luke 24:48
And ye are witnesses of these things.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Acts 2:32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.Acts 13:31And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.Acts 5:32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.Acts 10:41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Acts 3:15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.Acts 10:39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:Acts 1:22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.Acts 4:33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.John 15:27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Historical Context
The concept of witness is crucial in Luke-Acts. Luke writes 'that thou mightest know the certainty of those things' (Luke 1:4) based on eyewitness testimony (Luke 1:2). Acts emphasizes apostles as resurrection witnesses (Acts 1:8, 22, 2:32, 3:15, 5:32, 10:39-41, 13:31). Their testimony was historical, not mythological—they saw, touched, ate with the risen Jesus. Skeptics note that we're dependent on these witnesses' truthfulness. But their credibility is strong:
- multiple independent witnesses
- willingness to die for testimony
- inclusion of embarrassing details
- immediate proclamation when contradictors could refute.
The witnesses' testimony, preserved in Scripture, remains the foundation of Christian faith.
Questions for Reflection
- What qualifies the disciples as witnesses, and why is eyewitness testimony important?
- How does apostolic witness establish New Testament authority?
- What evidence supports the credibility and reliability of the apostolic witnesses?
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Analysis & Commentary
The apostolic commission: 'And ye are witnesses of these things.' Jesus declares: 'ye are witnesses' (ὑμεῖς μάρτυρες, hymeis martyres) 'of these things' (τούτων, toutōn)—His life, death, and resurrection. A witness testifies to what they've seen and heard. The disciples had firsthand experience of Jesus' ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection appearances. Their testimony would launch Christianity. The term 'martyres' became the source of 'martyr,' as many witnesses died for their testimony. This commission establishes apostolic authority—they are authorized witnesses whose testimony forms the New Testament foundation. The church is built on apostolic witness (Ephesians 2:20), which continues through Scripture they produced.