Luke 24:21 – “But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus express their disappointment and confusion. They had believed that Jesus was the one who would “redeem Israel,” but His crucifixion shattered that hope. To them, Jesus’ death seemed like the end of their dream for political and national redemption. They mention that it’s now the third day since His death, indicating that they had heard of His promise to rise but were still unsure if it could be true.
Their statement reveals a limited understanding of what “redemption” truly meant. They expected a Messiah who would free Israel from Roman occupation and restore its former glory. They didn’t realize that Jesus’ mission was far greater—He had come to redeem not just Israel but the world, offering salvation from sin and eternal life.
Historical Context
The Jewish people in the first century longed for redemption from Roman oppression. They believed the Messiah would be a political leader who would overthrow their enemies and restore the kingdom of Israel. This expectation came from prophecies in the Old Testament about a coming king who would establish God’s reign (Isaiah 9:6-7, Zechariah 9:9-10). Many Jews interpreted these prophecies as promises of national liberation.
When Jesus performed miracles and taught with authority, many believed He was the promised Messiah. However, His arrest, trial, and crucifixion seemed to contradict those expectations. To the disciples, His death was a devastating blow because they thought the Messiah’s mission had failed.
The reference to the third day is significant because Jesus had repeatedly told His disciples that He would rise on the third day (Luke 9:22). The disciples had heard these predictions, but their grief and confusion prevented them from understanding their fulfillment.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights a key issue that still affects people today: misplaced or incomplete expectations of who Jesus is and what He came to do. The disciples wanted immediate, visible results—freedom from oppression and political power. But Jesus came to offer a deeper, more lasting form of redemption: freedom from sin and reconciliation with God.
The fact that they mention the third day shows that they had heard Jesus’ promise but struggled to believe it. This demonstrates how doubt and disappointment can blind people to the truth of God’s promises. Faith requires trusting that God’s plan is greater than what we can see or understand.
Their misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission also serves as a warning against reducing faith to earthly outcomes. Jesus’ mission wasn’t about political power; it was about transforming hearts and establishing God’s kingdom through His death and resurrection.
Literary Analysis
Luke uses this conversation to highlight the emotional and spiritual journey of the disciples. The phrase “we had hoped” is filled with regret and disillusionment, showing how deeply their expectations had been crushed. Their statement also builds tension in the narrative—readers know that Jesus is alive, but the disciples don’t, creating anticipation for the moment of revelation.
The reference to the third day is important because it subtly points to the truth of the resurrection. Luke’s narrative is building toward the climax when Jesus will reveal Himself and explain how His death and resurrection fulfilled God’s plan.
Biblical Cross-References
- Isaiah 53:4-5 – The suffering servant would bear the sins of many, pointing to Jesus’ mission of spiritual redemption.
- Luke 9:22 – Jesus predicted that He would suffer, be killed, and rise on the third day.
- John 6:15 – People wanted to make Jesus king by force, showing their misunderstanding of His mission.
- Matthew 20:28 – Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
- Acts 3:18 – Peter explains that the Messiah’s suffering was part of God’s plan to bring salvation.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse teaches Christians that God’s plans are often different from human expectations, but they are always better. The disciples thought redemption meant political freedom, but Jesus offered something far greater: freedom from sin and the hope of eternal life. When life doesn’t go as planned, believers can trust that God is working for their good, even when they don’t understand His timing or methods.
It also reminds Christians to examine their own expectations of God. Are they looking for temporary solutions to earthly problems, or are they trusting in the eternal hope that Jesus provides? Faith isn’t about getting what we want—it’s about trusting that God knows what’s best.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in His patience and understanding. Even though the disciples misunderstood Jesus’ mission, He didn’t abandon them. Instead, He walked with them, listened to their concerns, and eventually revealed the truth to them. This reflects God’s love for His people—He doesn’t leave them in their confusion but gently guides them toward understanding.
The crucifixion, which the disciples saw as a failure, was actually the ultimate act of God’s love. Jesus willingly died to redeem humanity, fulfilling God’s plan to restore the relationship between people and their Creator (Romans 5:8). The resurrection on the third day was the proof of God’s victory over sin and death.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse directly points to Jesus’ role as the Redeemer. The disciples thought redemption meant political liberation, but Jesus showed that true redemption is spiritual. By dying on the cross and rising on the third day, He accomplished what no political leader ever could—He defeated sin and made eternal life possible for all who believe in Him (John 11:25-26).
Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled His promise and proved that He is the Messiah who brings salvation, not through military conquest but through His sacrifice. This verse reminds believers to trust in the power of the cross and the resurrection, even when they don’t fully understand God’s plan.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think the disciples’ understanding of redemption was limited to political freedom?
- How can you trust God’s plan when life doesn’t go the way you expect?
- What are some ways you’ve experienced God working through situations that initially felt like disappointments or failures?
- How does understanding Jesus’ mission to bring spiritual redemption impact your daily life and faith?
- In what ways can you help others see that Jesus offers a deeper form of redemption than just solving temporary problems?