Luke 24:25–27 — Background, History & Explanation
The Setting:
Luke 24 takes place on Resurrection Sunday, the same day the women found the empty tomb. Two disciples — one named Cleopas (likely the husband of Mary, mentioned in John 19:25) and an unnamed companion — are walking from Jerusalem to a small village called Emmaus (about 7 miles).
They were:
walking along heartbroken and confused, talking about how Jesus had been killed, and they didn’t know what to make of the women’s story that the tomb was empty and that Jesus might be alive.
Jesus appears beside them, but they are kept from recognizing Him.
This moment is one of the most intimate resurrection encounters—Jesus meets two ordinary disciples in their confusion and disappointment.
The Passage (Luke 24:25–27)
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Historical & Jewish Background
1. The Expectation of a Warrior-Messiah
Most Jews in the first century believed the Messiah would:
free them from Roman oppression restore the kingdom of Israel defeat their enemies rule in glory
They expected a Davidic king, not a suffering servant.
To them, the cross meant Jesus failed.
2. Why Jesus Rebukes Them (“Foolish and Slow to Believe”)
Jesus isn’t insulting them.
He is revealing something deeper:
They believed some of Scripture, but not all of it.
They accepted the glory prophecies (like Isaiah 9, Daniel 7),
but ignored the suffering prophecies (like Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Zechariah 12).
This selective reading is what blinded them to God’s plan.
3. The Jewish Way of Reading Scripture
In Judaism, Scripture (Tanakh) is divided into:
Torah (Moses) Nevi’im (Prophets) Ketuvim (Writings)
When Jesus says “Moses and all the Prophets,” He is saying:
The entire Hebrew Bible points to Me.
This is the ultimate Christ-centered hermeneutic.
Verse-by-Verse Explanation
Verse 25 — “How foolish you are…”
Jesus reveals that:
their problem isn’t lack of information—it’s lack of belief they had the Scriptures, but they misunderstood the story
Their vision was shaped more by cultural expectations than divine revelation.
Verse 26 — “Did not the Messiah have to suffer…?”
The phrase “have to” (dei) means divine necessity.
Jesus is teaching: suffering was not an accident it was not defeat it was God’s plan from the beginning
Prophecies like Psalm 22 — pierced hands and feet Isaiah 53 — wounded, crushed, punished Zechariah 12 — “they will look on the one they pierced” Genesis 3:15 — the serpent would strike His heel
The cross wasn’t the end.
The cross was the path to glory.
Verse 27 — “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets…”
Here Jesus gives the greatest Bible study in history.
He interprets every major theme through Himself:
Moses The Passover lamb The serpent lifted up The manna The rock struck to give water The Tabernacle sacrifices The promise of a coming prophet like Moses The Prophets Isaiah’s suffering servant Jeremiah’s righteous Branch Daniel’s Son of Man Zechariah’s pierced Shepherd Jonah’s 3 days in the fish (Jesus cites this elsewhere)
Jesus presents the entire Old Testament as a unified story about Him.
Theological Meaning
Jesus is the center of Scripture. The Bible is not primarily about Israel, morality, or prophecy — it’s about Jesus. Suffering precedes glory. For Christ — and for every disciple. Faith grows through Scripture. Jesus could have revealed Himself instantly, but instead — He taught Scripture first. Recognizing Jesus requires spiritual eyes. Knowledge alone can’t reveal Him; revelation does.
Why This Moment Matters
This is the turning point of resurrection faith.
The Emmaus disciples go from:
crushed to joyful confused to enlightened hopeless to burning with revelation
Later they say:
“Were not our hearts burning within us… as He opened the Scriptures to us?”
This story shows that:
Jesus pursues the discouraged He walks with us in confusion He reveals Himself through Scripture He turns disappointment into mission
Application for Today
1. We often miss Jesus because expectations blind us.
We expect Him to work in a certain way — and when He doesn’t, we feel abandoned.
2. We need the whole counsel of Scripture.
Not just the hopeful parts; also the hard, refining truths.
3. Jesus still walks with the disappointed.
Emmaus is the story of heartbreak healed through the presence of Christ.
4. Transformation begins with Scripture before revelation.
Jesus warms the heart before opening the eyes.
