Luke 24:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

NIV: Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

NASB: Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?'

CSB: Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

NLT: Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?'

KJV: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

NKJV: Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

Two disciples have left Jerusalem and are going to Emmaus. The disciples stayed long enough to hear the women disciples describe how they found Jesus' tomb empty and angels told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. They also heard Peter and John's report that the tomb is, indeed, empty. But they don't know what this means (Luke 24:13–24).

One of the men, Cleopas, has been telling Jesus this. But so far, he hasn't recognized Jesus. Throughout Jesus' ministry, an underlying principle is the more someone believes what they hear, the more they hear. This is why Jesus spoke in parables to the people—if they believed Jesus and asked what the parables meant, Jesus would explain them. If they dismissed what Jesus said, they wouldn't understand—or even remember (Luke 8:9–10; 12:48).

This applies even to the most important thing Jesus said: that He would be killed and rise again on the third day. The third time Jesus says this, Luke adds, "But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said" (Luke 18:34).

Cleopas and his friend didn't believe the women, and they can't apply the Jewish prophets who predicted the Messiah would die and rise again (Psalm 16; 22; Isaiah 53). The Christ had to die—not to redeem Israel from the Romans but to redeem humanity from sin and death. And He had to rise again to bring His followers new life. His glory isn't to take the throne of Israel—yet. It's to ascend to the Father and accept the position and authority waiting for Him (Acts 7:55). Jesus explains it to them (Luke 24:27).

Luke 24:13–27 contains a meeting between Jesus and two disciples, along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They don't recognize Him. Yet He lets them explain what they've experienced the last three days. When they finish, He points out their foolishness and shows them how the crucifixion and resurrection were prophesied in the Old Testament. When they invite Jesus for a meal, He reveals Himself and disappears. The two men return to Jerusalem to tell the larger group of disciples (Luke 24:28–35). Mark 16:12–13 gives a synopsis, but are likely not part of the original manuscript of Mark.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.