Luke 24:21

KJV

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} we {G2249} trusted {G1679} that {G3754} it had been {G2076} he {G846} which should {G3195} have redeemed {G3084} Israel {G2474}: and {G235} beside {G1065}{G4862} all {G3956} this {G5125}, to day {G4594} is {G71} the {G5026} third {G5154} day {G2250} since {G575}{G3739} these things {G5023} were done {G1096}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And we had hoped that he would be the one to liberate Isra’el! Besides all that, today is the third day since these things happened;

Berean Standard Bible

But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place.

American Standard Version

But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:21 powerfully conveys the profound disappointment and confusion of two disciples on the road to Emmaus, conversing with the resurrected Jesus whom they tragically fail to recognize. Their lament, "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done," encapsulates their shattered messianic expectations and their misunderstanding of the Messiah's true mission, all while unwittingly highlighting the critical prophetic timeline of Jesus' resurrection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the poignant narrative of the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35), occurring shortly after the reports of Jesus' empty tomb and angelic announcements of His resurrection, yet before the disciples in Jerusalem have fully grasped the reality. Cleopas and his companion, deeply distraught, are walking away from Jerusalem, the scene of their hopes' apparent demise. Their dialogue with the unrecognized Jesus reveals their profound sorrow and confusion, setting the stage for Jesus' revelatory teaching from the Scriptures. The verse serves as the emotional peak of their despair, expressing the crushing weight of their perceived failure of the one they believed to be Israel's redeemer. It is immediately followed by Jesus' gentle rebuke of their slowness to believe and His subsequent exposition of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and glory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples' expectation that Jesus "should have redeemed Israel" was deeply rooted in the prevailing Jewish messianic hopes of the first century. Under Roman occupation, many Jews yearned for a political and military deliverer who would overthrow foreign rule, restore the Davidic monarchy, and re-establish Israel's national sovereignty, as prophesied in various Old Testament texts. This nationalistic interpretation of redemption often overshadowed the spiritual dimensions of liberation from sin and death. The journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village about seven miles away, symbolizes their retreat from the center of Jewish life and their dashed hopes. The mention of "the third day" would have been significant in Jewish reckoning, often signifying a decisive or climactic moment, though its specific prophetic fulfillment regarding resurrection was not yet understood by them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Shattered Expectations**, where human understanding of God's plan often falls short of His divine purpose, leading to disappointment when events do not unfold as anticipated. It also highlights the **Misunderstanding of the Messiah's True Mission**, contrasting the disciples' earthly, political vision of redemption with Jesus' spiritual, atoning work. Furthermore, the unwitting mention of "the third day" underscores the theme of **Divine Timing and Prophetic Fulfillment**, particularly concerning the resurrection, which is central to the [gospel message](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel: Christ Died, Was Buried, Rose on the Third Day"). This passage serves as a critical bridge, showing the disciples moving from a limited, earthly perspective to a profound, spiritual understanding of Christ's redemptive work, echoing the disciples' later question in [Acts 1:6](/acts/1-6 "Acts 1:6 - Disciples Ask About Restoring the Kingdom to Israel") about the restoration of the kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **trusted (Greek, _elpízō'_):** From G1679, meaning "to expect or confide." This word reveals the depth of the disciples' prior conviction and hope in Jesus. They had placed their full confidence in Him as the one who would fulfill their highest aspirations for Israel. The use of the imperfect tense implies a past, ongoing trust that has now been abruptly interrupted and seemingly invalidated by the events of the crucifixion. Their trust was not merely intellectual assent but an active, hopeful reliance that has now been tragically disappointed.
* **redeemed (Greek, _lytróō'_):** From G3084, meaning "to ransom (literally or figuratively); to liberate." This term is crucial for understanding the disciples' expectations. While "redeem" can refer to political liberation, its deeper New Testament usage points to spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin and death, achieved through Christ's sacrificial death. The disciples were looking for a King to pay a political ransom for Israel's freedom from Rome, but Jesus had come to pay the ultimate spiritual ransom for humanity's freedom from sin. Their understanding was limited to the temporal and national, missing the eternal and universal scope of His redemptive work.
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** From G2250, referring to "the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours." When combined with "third" (G5154, _trítos'_), the phrase "third day" carries immense theological weight. Unbeknownst to the disciples, this was not merely a chronological marker but the divinely appointed and prophesied time for the Messiah's resurrection. Their casual mention of it as a measure of time since the crucifixion starkly contrasts with its profound significance as the moment of Christ's triumph over death, a central tenet of Christian faith and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But we trusted that it had been he":** This opening clause immediately establishes the disciples' past conviction and current disillusionment. The "but" (G1161, _dé_) signals a stark contrast between their former hope and their present despair. They had firmly believed that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, the one uniquely appointed by God. Their use of the past perfect tense ("it had been he") underscores that this belief was once strong but now appears to be a mistaken assumption.
* **"which should have redeemed Israel:":** This phrase articulates the core of their messianic expectation. They believed Jesus was the one "about to" (G3195, _méllō_) redeem Israel. For them, "redemption" was primarily political—liberation from Roman oppression and the restoration of Israel's national glory, perhaps envisioning a new Davidic kingdom. Their understanding was limited to an earthly kingdom, failing to grasp the spiritual and universal nature of the redemption Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection.
* **"and beside all this, to day is the third day":** The conjunction "and" (G235, _allá_) introduces an additional layer of their distress, implying that even beyond their shattered hopes, the passage of time without any sign of reversal deepens their despair. The phrase "beside all this" (G4862, _sýn_ G3956, _pâs_ G5125, _toútois_) emphasizes the cumulative weight of their grief. Crucially, their casual mention of "the third day" (G4594, _sḗmeron_ G5154, _trítos_ G2250, _hēméra_) is laden with dramatic irony, as this is precisely the day Jesus had predicted His resurrection would occur, and indeed, the day He had already risen.
* **"since these things were done.":** This final clause concludes their lament, referring to the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The phrase "these things were done" (G5023, _taûta_ G1096, _gínomai_) indicates the finality and devastating impact of the events they had witnessed. For them, Jesus' death was the definitive end of their hopes, solidifying their belief that their trust had been misplaced and that the expected redemption had failed to materialize.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 24:21 is rich with literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Dramatic Irony**, as the disciples express their despair over Jesus' death to the very person who has already conquered death and risen. Their statement, "to day is the third day," is unknowingly a profound affirmation of the resurrection, which they are too blind to perceive. There is also significant **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the disciples' genuine grief and shattered hopes. Their lament reflects a universal human experience of disappointment when deeply held beliefs or expectations are seemingly contradicted by reality. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast** between the disciples' limited, earthly understanding of "redemption" and the boundless, spiritual redemption that Jesus has just accomplished. Their vision of a political deliverer stands in stark opposition to the spiritual liberator who conquers sin and death. Finally, the repeated mention of "the third day" functions as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the imminent revelation of Jesus' resurrection, which will transform their despair into joy and understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:21 serves as a poignant theological pivot, illustrating the chasm between human expectations and divine reality. The disciples' profound disappointment highlights a crucial theological truth: God's plans often transcend and subvert human logic and desires. Their hope for a political redeemer for Israel, while understandable within their historical context, fundamentally misunderstood the nature of the Messiah's kingdom and the scope of His redemptive work. Jesus' death, which seemed to them the ultimate failure, was in fact the divinely ordained means by which true, spiritual redemption from sin and death would be accomplished for all humanity. This passage underscores the sovereignty of God, whose wisdom and ways are infinitely higher than human understanding, even when they appear contradictory or devastating in the moment. It prepares the reader for the revelation of the resurrection, which is the ultimate vindication of God's plan and the foundation of Christian hope.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood"): "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel: Christ Died, Was Buried, Rose on the Third Day"): "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The lament of the Emmaus disciples in Luke 24:21 offers a profound mirror for our own spiritual journeys. Like them, we often come to God with preconceived notions and expectations about how He should act, how He should "redeem" our situations, or how His kingdom should manifest in our lives or in the world. When circumstances unfold contrary to our hopes, especially when they involve loss, suffering, or apparent failure, we can easily fall into despair and question God's faithfulness or power. This verse challenges us to re-examine our understanding of God's purposes, reminding us that His ways are often mysterious and transcend our limited perspectives. It calls us to cultivate a deeper trust in His sovereign wisdom, even when the path is unclear or painful. Furthermore, it encourages us to diligently engage with God's Word, allowing Him to open our understanding, just as Jesus did for the disciples, so that we might grasp the spiritual realities of His kingdom and find hope not in earthly outcomes, but in the enduring truth of Christ's resurrection and His ultimate victory over sin and death. Our disappointments can become opportunities for deeper faith, leading us to discover God's greater, more glorious plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "redemptions" or outcomes do I currently expect from God in my life, and how might my understanding of His purpose be limited?**
* **How do I respond when my deeply held hopes or expectations are shattered, especially in my faith journey?**
* **In what ways might I be unknowingly overlooking or misinterpreting God's active work in my life, similar to the disciples on the Emmaus road?**
* **How can a deeper understanding of Christ's resurrection transform my perspective on present disappointments and future hopes?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't the disciples recognize Jesus on the road to Emmaus?**

Answer: The text explicitly states in [Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - Their Eyes Were Held") that "their eyes were holden that they should not know him." This suggests a divine intervention, a supernatural veiling that prevented their recognition. While their grief and preoccupation with recent events might have contributed to their lack of perception, the primary reason was God's sovereign design. This temporary blindness served a purpose: it allowed Jesus to teach them the true meaning of the Scriptures concerning the Messiah's suffering and glory *before* they recognized His physical presence. Their understanding was to be based on the Word, not just on sight, preparing them for a faith that would rely on testimony and spiritual discernment rather than physical presence after His ascension. It was only after Jesus broke bread with them in [Luke 24:30-31](/luke/24-30-31 "Luke 24:30-31 - Jesus Revealed in the Breaking of Bread") that their eyes were opened, and He vanished from their sight, confirming that their faith was to be in the resurrected Christ, not merely in a physical companion.

**What was the significance of "redeeming Israel" for the disciples, and how did Jesus' mission differ?**

Answer: For the disciples, "redeeming Israel" primarily meant political liberation from Roman rule and the restoration of Israel's national sovereignty, as they understood many Old Testament prophecies to imply a powerful, earthly king who would re-establish the Davidic kingdom. This expectation is clearly seen in [Acts 1:6](/acts/1-6 "Acts 1:6 - Disciples Ask About Restoring the Kingdom to Israel") where, even after the resurrection, the disciples ask Jesus, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Jesus' mission, however, was far more profound and universal. While He is indeed the King of Israel, His primary redemption was spiritual: to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus provided eternal redemption, offering forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God, not just for Israel but for all who believe, as highlighted in [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood") and [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness of Sins"). He came to establish a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly boundaries and political structures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:21, with its raw expression of shattered hope, paradoxically points directly to the triumphant fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Christ. The disciples' lament, "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel," reveals their profound misunderstanding of the Messiah's true mission. They sought an earthly, political liberation, a king to overthrow Rome and restore national glory. Yet, in their very presence stood the one who had indeed "redeemed Israel," but in a far more glorious and eternal sense. Jesus' death, which they mourned as the end of their hopes, was in fact the very means by which He accomplished the ultimate redemption, paying the ransom for sin and securing eternal life for all who believe. His resurrection on "the third day," which they unwittingly mentioned, confirmed His victory over death and inaugurated the new creation. This passage beautifully illustrates that Christ did not fail to redeem Israel; rather, He redeemed humanity in a way infinitely superior to their expectations. He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His redemption is not merely political but spiritual, liberating us from the dominion of darkness and transferring us into the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption from Darkness")). Through His shed blood, He secured an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")), not just for a nation, but for people "from every tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redemption by Christ's Blood for All Nations")). The Emmaus road encounter, culminating in Jesus' exposition of the Scriptures, reveals that all of Scripture, from Moses and the Prophets, points to the suffering and glory of the Christ, who would redeem His people not by earthly power, but by His sacrificial love and resurrection life ([Luke 24:25-27](/luke/24-25-27 "Luke 24:25-27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures to the Disciples")). Thus, even in their despair, the disciples were speaking of the very fulfillment that stood before them, a testament to Christ's comprehensive and glorious redemptive work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 1:68

Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Luke 2:38

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 59:20

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

1 Peter 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Psalms 130:8

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.