Luke 24:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

NIV: And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

NASB: Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.

CSB: Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.

NLT: Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

KJV: And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

NKJV: And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Jesus is chastising two of His disciples for not understanding how Old Testament predicted the Messiah's suffering and death leading to resurrection (Luke 24:25–26). The list of prophecies is impressive.

Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 are the primary sources of prophecies regarding the suffering Jesus experienced. The passages cover His refusal to defend Himself during the trials, the exact insults He heard, the presence of Gentiles, the physiological consequences of crucifixion—including dehydration and nails through His hands and feet—how the soldiers divided His clothes, and His burial in the tomb of a rich man. There are many other prophecies, particularly in the Psalms.

Fewer Old Testament passages talk about Jesus' resurrection, but they are there. God promised the Suffering Servant's days would be prolonged (Isaiah 53:10). David says, "For you will not abandon my soul to sheol, or let your holy one see corruption" (Psalm 16:10). This implies that Jesus' body would not lie so long it would decompose (Acts 2:27). Other parts say Jesus was disciplined severely but will live (Psalm 118:17–18). And Jonah is more than a prophecy; his three days in the belly of the fish is given as a living allegory of Jesus' time in and escape from the grave (Matthew 12:38–41).

The prophecies of the necessity of what Jesus experienced are scattered throughout. The Messiah must defeat the serpent (Genesis 3:15; Daniel 9:24–27). He must bless the nations through Israel (Genesis 12:3; 22:18). He must be the prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). And He must free the captives and heal the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1). To do those things, He had to die.

The Old Testament speaks of the Messiah entering His glory, too. God will give Jesus authority over the nations (Daniel 7:13–14). And Jesus will take His rightful place on David's throne (2 Samuel 7:16; Jeremiah 23:5).

These two disciples had believed that Jesus was the Messiah who would redeem Israel (Luke 24:21). They had believed He would fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament. But they didn't believe enough to accept that if He needed to return from the dead to do it, He would.

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.