Justin Houtz

2 Kings 15, Luke 24

DateVersionReading Plan
November 24, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

2 Kings 15

Observation & Interpretation

2 Kings 15:1-38 – This chapter begins and ends with two reasonable Judean kings (Azariah—a.k.a. Uzziah—and Jotham), and in between we read the narratives of five Israelite kings of varying degrees of hopelessness. During a thirty-year period, Israel has five kings to Judah’s two, none of them any good…The Israelites are inveterate idolaters. As this narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that idolatry is their perennial problem underlying all the issues they face in this chapter. (ESVEC – Comment)

  • Idolatry in the NT is less about bowing down to statues or climbing up shrines and more about finding security and satisfaction in anyone or anything other than Christ, but the logic is still the same—both blatant idolatry and the half-heartedness that is the telltale sign of underlying idolatry are deeply dangerous. And so we need to take these OT warnings for Israel and Judah very seriously. (ESVEC – Response)

Luke 24

Observation & Interpretation

Luke 24:12 – Luke records that Peter rose and ran to the tomb, but does not mention John (see John 20:3-10).

Luke 24:27 – Jesus interpreted to the men on the way to Emmaus all the things in the Scriptures concerning Himself, but they still did not know that He was Jesus.

Luke 24:31 – Directly after the eyes of the men Jesus accompanied on the road to Emmaus were opened, He vanished from their sight.

  • This verse describes a supernatural occurrence that unfolds in three quick stages: God opens the eyes of the two men—meaning they are given ability to recognize Jesus for who He his (compare v. 16), they then recognize the risen Jesus, and Jesus vanishes. (FSB)

Luke 24:42-43 – The disciples gave Jesus a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it before them.

  • The account leaves no question that Jesus resurrected full and bodily.
  • It is understandable that some were slow to believe. This was a highly unusual and unexpected event. Realizing their doubts, Jesus offered an additional piece of evidence. He showed them that He could eat food (a piece of broiled fish), something no ghost could do. (CSB Notes)
  • Hallucinations do not eat fish. The piece of fish does not just disappear. It disappears because the risen Jesus with a real body eats it. (ESVEC – Response)

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