Luke 24:45 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

NIV: Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

NASB: Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

CSB: Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

NLT: Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

KJV: Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

NKJV: And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

In Scripture, blindness is used as a metaphor for ignorance or spiritual insensitivity (Matthew 23; John 9:39–41; 12:40; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 2:11). Only God is credited with curing blindness, both physical and spiritual (Isaiah 35:5; 42:6–7; Psalm 146:8; John 9:32–33). Jesus has "opened the eyes" of the two men who went to Emmaus (Luke 24:31). Now, He reveals His place in the Jewish Scriptures to the rest of the disciples, opening their minds in much the same way.

Human understanding is limited. Culture and bias can disconnect what we claim to believe and what we hold to be true in our hearts. The disciples would have claimed belief in what Jesus taught. They would have said the same of what the prophets of their Scriptures said. But they had preconceived ideas getting in their way of fully realizing those truths.

Among their false assumptions were that the Messiah would come and enact His plan to free Israel and rule over the Jews the first time He arrived. And, that if someone is beaten, scourged, and crucified, He cannot come back to life. Also, that the resurrection is for the end times, so someone cannot be fully resurrected before judgment. Once Jesus was in the grave, those underlying beliefs overshadowed what the disciples once held as true.

Jesus said He would be crucified and raised again on the third day. But if someone is crucified, they can't come back to life. Does that mean Jesus was wrong? The prophets said that the Messiah would rescue and rule over God's people. But Jesus died without doing that. Does that mean the prophets were wrong? The prophets speak of the resurrection at the end. Jesus' spirit may come, but He can't be resurrected. But He can't be king without a body.

Their core problem wasn't that they don't know the Scriptures. Rather, it was that they don't have faith in God. Without faith as the core to their understanding, everything else falls apart. Jesus is gracious, however. He opens their minds, as the Holy Spirit does ours (John 16:13).

Luke 24:44–49 includes the last teachings recorded in Luke, prior to Jesus' ascension. It's unclear where or when this occurs; it seems more of a synopsis than a single event. Jesus opens the disciples' minds to how He has fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:16–20, John 20:24—21:25, and 1 Corinthians 15:5–7 also record Jesus' experiences during this time.

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.