Luke 24:44–46

Context

Chapter 24 of the Gospel of Luke recounts the events of the day of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and, "beginning at Moses and all the prophets," expounded to them the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27). Afterward he appeared to the disciples gathered in Jerusalem, showed them his hands and feet, and ate fish before them (vv. 36–43). The present passage records what he went on to say on that occasion.

The phrase "while I was yet with you" looks back on his teaching before the resurrection. The sentence begun in verse 46 concludes in verse 47. Verses 46–47 state that it is "written" not only that Christ would suffer and rise again but also that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in his name among all nations. There follow the words appointing the disciples as witnesses (vv. 48–49) and the account of the ascension (vv. 50–53). The Acts of the Apostles, written by the same author, takes up the narrative from this scene.

Interpretation

• Christ-centered reading: Many Protestant interpreters regard this passage as evidence that the entire Old Testament points to Jesus Christ. In the Reformed tradition it is treated as a key text for "redemptive-historical interpretation," which reads the Old Testament as the unfolding of God's history of salvation that reaches its fulfillment in Christ.
• Reading in relation to the divisions of the canon: Some hold that "the law of Moses, and … the prophets, and … the psalms" corresponds to the threefold division of the Hebrew Bible: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. On this view, the Psalms is understood as the first book or the representative of the Writings. Some Protestant scholars who hold this view cite the passage as evidence of the extent of the Old Testament canon in Jesus' day. Others, however, maintain that "the psalms" should be taken to refer only to the Book of Psalms itself.
• Reading concerning illumination: Verse 45, "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," is read as teaching that divine help is needed to understand Scripture. Illumination refers to the Holy Spirit's enlightening the reader's heart so that he or she may understand Scripture. Many denominations, including Presbyterian and Methodist churches, connect this verse with the doctrine of the illumination of the Holy Spirit. In Pentecostal circles it is sometimes emphasized together with the ongoing work of the Spirit today.

Debates and Issues

• Old Testament basis for "the third day": Opinions differ as to which Old Testament text directly foretells a resurrection on the third day. Commonly cited are Hosea 6:2 and the three days of Jonah (cf. Matthew 12:40). Some interpreters regard these as direct prophecies, while others see them as types, in which an earlier event prefigures a later one.
• The scope of Christ-centered interpretation: Critics argue that trying to find Christ in every Old Testament text leads to excessive allegorizing. As a result, two positions are discussed side by side: that the historical-grammatical meaning of a text must be respected first, and that the Old Testament as a whole is oriented toward Christ.
• Manuscript variants: Some manuscripts of verse 46 are known to contain an additional expression of necessity, such as "thus it behoved Christ to suffer." The King James Version follows this tradition.

In Korean Churches

The passage is frequently read in sermons around Easter. It is also used as a key text in Bible studies on how to see Christ in the Old Testament. In the Revised Common Lectionary, used by churches that follow the liturgical year, this passage is reportedly included in the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Easter (Year B).

Related Passages

• Luke 24:27
• Luke 24:46–49
• John 5:39
• 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
• Hosea 6:2