praising God
The act of praising God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting a heart of gratitude and reverence towards the Creator. The Greek word used here is "αἰνέω" (aineō), which means to praise, extol, or sing praises. This word is often associated with worship and adoration, indicating a deep acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness. In the context of Luke 24:53, the disciples' praise is a response to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, recognizing His divine nature and the fulfillment of God's promises. Historically, praise was an integral part of Jewish worship, often expressed through psalms, hymns, and prayers, and it continues to be a vital aspect of Christian worship today.

continually
The word "continually" emphasizes the ongoing, persistent nature of the disciples' worship. The Greek word "διὰ παντός" (dia pantos) suggests an unceasing, habitual action. This reflects the early Christians' commitment to a lifestyle of worship and devotion, not limited to specific times or places but integrated into their daily lives. The continual praise signifies a transformation in the disciples' understanding and relationship with God, fueled by the Holy Spirit's empowerment. It serves as an inspiration for believers to cultivate a constant attitude of worship, regardless of circumstances.

in the temple
The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life, a place of sacrifice, prayer, and worship. It held significant historical and spiritual importance, being the location where God's presence dwelt among His people. The Greek word "ἱερόν" (hieron) refers to the sacred precincts of the temple, highlighting the disciples' return to a familiar place of worship. Their presence in the temple underscores the continuity between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, as they worship the risen Christ within the traditional setting of Jewish worship. This setting also symbolizes the early church's roots in Judaism and its mission to proclaim the Gospel starting from Jerusalem, as Jesus instructed. The temple, therefore, becomes a backdrop for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, bridging the old and the new.

(53) And were continually in the temple.--The statement is obviously not inconsistent with that in the Acts (Acts 1:13), that they were abiding in an upper-chamber in Jerusalem. What it indicates is, that their days were spent, not in the routine of common life, but in the prayer of fervent expectation; and for this no place was so fitting as the Temple, which their Master had taught them to look on as in very deed His "Father's house," the "house of prayer," in which the soul of the true worshipper could find access to its God (Luke 20:46; John 2:16). There, too, we must remember all the memories of the precious days that had preceded the Passion would be with them in their fullest intensity. We find the same pattern of life presented in Acts 3:1.

Amen.--The word is wanting in the best MSS., as it is also in many in Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:20, and John 20:31. In each case it was probably added by the transcriber in devout thankfulness at the completion of his task . . .

Verse 53. - And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. These last words of the Gospel just alluded to the life of the first teachers, which is dwelt upon with considerable detail in the Acts. In the early days which succeeded the Ascension, the temple and its courts were the principal resort of the teachers of the new "way." We know that in an extraordinarily short time the numbers of adherents to the crucified and risen Jesus, in Jerusalem only, were counted by thousands. The temple and its vast courts, from its storied past, from its having been the scene of much of the Master's last teaching, was the natural centre for these leaders of the new "way." When Luke wrote the words, "were continually in the temple," it is almost certain that he proposed continuing his great narrative in the book we know as the Acts of the Apostles, in which, guided by the Divine Spirit, he relates to us how the Lord Jesus continued to work on earth - in and by his Church - from his glory-throne in heaven. The early chapters of the Acts take up the thread of the gospel story, and describe the life and work of the friends of Jesus in the great Jerusalem temple, the dangers they had to encounter, and the splendid success which rewarded their brave, faithful toil. These same Acts, in the first lines of their thrilling story, take up again the Ascension scene, which is described with fresh and vivid details From these details we learn how, when the disciples' eyes were fixed on that cloud which veiled their ascending Master, they became aware of two stranger-forms with them, clad in white and glistening garments. They knew these belonged to no earthly company. They were two among the thousands of thousands of angels, possibly the angels of the Resurrection, who sat in the empty garden-tomb. These angels tell the awe-struck friends of the ascended Jesus that their adored Master will one day (Acts 1:2) come back to earth in like manner as they had seen him go to heaven. "O earth, thou grain of sand on the shore of the great ocean of the universe of God, thou Bethlehem among the princes of the regions of heaven, thou art and thou ever wilt be, among ten thousand times ten thousand suns and worlds, the loved one, the elect of the Lord; thee will he visit again; thou shalt provide him a throne, even as thou gavest him a manger; thou shalt rejoice in the splendour of his glory, even as thou drankest his blood and his tears, and mournedst at his death. On thee he hath a great work yet to accomplish" (Hafeli, quoted by Stier).

Parallel Commentaries ...

praising
εὐλογοῦντες (eulogountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2127: (lit: I speak well of) I bless; pass: I am blessed. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, i.e. to bless.

God
Θεόν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

continually
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple.
ἱερῷ (hierō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.


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NT Gospels: Luke 24:53 And were continually in the temple praising (Luke Lu Lk)