Luke 24:44 – “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus speaks to His disciples after His resurrection, explaining that everything that happened to Him—His suffering, death, and resurrection—was a fulfillment of the Scriptures. He reminds them that He had already told them about these things during His ministry, but they hadn’t fully understood. Now, standing before them as the risen Lord, He opens their minds to see that His mission was part of God’s eternal plan.
When Jesus mentions “the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms,” He is referring to the three major sections of the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians call the Old Testament). By saying that these Scriptures point to Him, Jesus is claiming that the entire Bible is about Him and His role in God’s plan to redeem humanity. His death wasn’t an accident or a defeat—it was the fulfillment of promises that God had made long ago.
Historical Context
At the time, many Jews were familiar with the Scriptures but often misunderstood how the Messiah would fulfill them. The common expectation was that the Messiah would be a political or military leader who would deliver Israel from Roman rule. Jesus’ suffering and death didn’t fit this expectation, which is why His disciples struggled to understand what had happened.
However, the Old Testament is full of prophecies and symbols that point to a suffering Messiah. For example, Isaiah 53 describes a servant of God who would be “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities.” The sacrificial system established in the Law of Moses foreshadowed Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The Psalms, too, contain prophetic references to the Messiah’s suffering and victory (such as Psalm 22, which describes events that closely mirror the crucifixion).
When Jesus explains that His life and mission fulfill these Scriptures, He is reshaping the disciples’ understanding of what the Messiah was always meant to be.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were not random or unexpected—they were the fulfillment of God’s plan as revealed in Scripture. This has several important theological implications:
- The Unity of Scripture: The Old and New Testaments are not separate or unrelated. The Old Testament points forward to Jesus, and the New Testament reveals the fulfillment of those promises in Him. Together, they form a unified story of God’s plan for salvation.
- Jesus as the Center of God’s Plan: Everything in Scripture ultimately points to Jesus. The Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms were not just historical or moral teachings—they were preparing the world for the coming of Christ.
- God’s Sovereignty: This verse shows that God’s plan for salvation was established long before Jesus was born. His death and resurrection were not the result of human failure or chance; they were part of God’s sovereign plan to redeem the world.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s narrative places this explanation after Jesus’ resurrection to show that the disciples’ understanding of Scripture is only fully realized when they encounter the risen Christ. The phrase “everything must be fulfilled” emphasizes the necessity of Jesus’ mission—His suffering and death were not optional or avoidable but essential for God’s plan of salvation.
The reference to “the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms” is significant because it highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus’ fulfillment. He didn’t just fulfill isolated prophecies—He fulfilled the entire narrative arc of Scripture, from the creation and fall of humanity to the promise of redemption.
Biblical Cross-References
- Luke 24:27 – On the road to Emmaus, Jesus explains to two disciples how all the Scriptures point to Him.
- Matthew 5:17 – Jesus says that He has come not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them.
- Isaiah 53:5 – A prophecy about the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many.
- Psalm 22:16-18 – A psalm that describes the suffering of someone who is pierced and mocked, foreshadowing the crucifixion.
- John 5:39 – Jesus tells the religious leaders that the Scriptures testify about Him.
- Acts 3:18 – Peter explains that God fulfilled what He had foretold through the prophets, that His Messiah would suffer.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a powerful reminder that faith in Jesus is rooted in God’s eternal plan. The story of salvation didn’t begin in the New Testament—it began in Genesis and unfolds throughout the entire Bible. This should give believers confidence that their faith is part of something much bigger than themselves. God has been working out His plan for redemption from the very beginning, and Jesus is the centerpiece of that plan.
This verse also encourages believers to study the Old Testament with an eye toward how it points to Jesus. Understanding the connections between the Old and New Testaments can deepen a person’s faith and appreciation for God’s Word.
Additionally, this verse provides reassurance that God’s promises can be trusted. Just as He fulfilled His promises about the coming of the Messiah, He will fulfill His promises about Christ’s return and the ultimate restoration of all things.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in His long-term plan to redeem humanity. Even after humanity sinned and turned away from Him, God set a plan in motion to bring people back into relationship with Him. This plan, revealed in the Scriptures and fulfilled through Jesus, shows God’s patience, faithfulness, and commitment to saving His people.
God’s love is also seen in the fact that He didn’t leave the world in confusion or darkness. Through His Word, He provided clear promises and prophecies that pointed to the coming of the Savior. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were not surprises—they were the fulfillment of God’s loving plan to rescue humanity from sin.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse directly connects to Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and the fulfillment of God’s promises. The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms contain countless references to the coming Savior, and Jesus is the one who brings them all to completion. His role as the fulfillment of Scripture highlights His divine mission and confirms that He is the one through whom God’s plan of salvation is accomplished.
Jesus’ fulfillment of the Old Testament also demonstrates His authority. He isn’t just a teacher or prophet—He is the central figure of God’s redemptive plan. His resurrection proves that everything the Scriptures said about Him is true, giving believers confidence in His ability to save and restore.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think the disciples struggled to understand how the Old Testament pointed to Jesus before His resurrection?
- How does knowing that Jesus fulfilled the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms deepen your understanding of the Bible?
- What are some Old Testament prophecies or passages that point to Jesus, and how do they strengthen your faith?
- How does this verse encourage you to trust in God’s promises, both those that have been fulfilled and those yet to come?
- In what ways can you study the Old Testament to gain a better understanding of God’s plan for salvation?