Luke 24:46

KJV

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Thus {G3754}{G3779} it is written {G1125}, and {G2532} thus {G3779} it behoved {G1163} Christ {G5547} to suffer {G3958}, and {G2532} to rise {G450} from {G1537} the dead {G3498} the third {G5154} day {G2250}:

Complete Jewish Bible

telling them, “Here is what it says: the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day;

Berean Standard Bible

And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

American Standard Version

and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:46 captures Jesus' post-resurrection declaration to His disciples, profoundly revealing the divine necessity and prophetic fulfillment of His suffering, death, and triumphant resurrection on the third day. This pivotal statement clarifies that these events were not accidental but were meticulously foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures, serving as the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan and the very essence of the gospel message He now commissions them to proclaim.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic final chapter of Luke's Gospel, detailing Jesus' post-resurrection appearances. Prior to this encounter with the assembled disciples in Jerusalem, Jesus had already appeared to two disciples on the [road to Emmaus](/luke/24-13-35 "Luke 24:13-35 - The Emmaus Road Encounter"), where He "interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Upon their return and report, Jesus suddenly appears among the larger group, who are initially terrified, believing they see a spirit. To dispel their fear and doubt, Jesus shows them His hands and feet, invites them to touch Him, and even eats a piece of broiled fish, providing undeniable proof of His physical, bodily resurrection ([Luke 24:36-43](/luke/24-36-43 "Luke 24:36-43 - Jesus Appears to His Disciples")). Verse 46 then serves as the theological climax of this encounter, where Jesus, having established His physical reality, proceeds to open their minds to understand the spiritual reality and prophetic necessity of His recent experiences.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples, like most Jews of their time, held strong messianic expectations that largely centered on a conquering king who would liberate Israel from Roman oppression and establish a glorious earthly kingdom. The idea of a suffering and crucified Messiah was deeply counter-intuitive and scandalous, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). The crucifixion was seen as a sign of God's curse ([Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is Everyone Who Hangs on a Tree")), making it incredibly difficult for them to reconcile Jesus' death with their understanding of the Messiah. Furthermore, while the concept of resurrection existed in Jewish thought (e.g., Daniel 12:2), a resurrection of an individual *before* the general resurrection at the end of time was largely unanticipated. Jesus' explanation here directly confronts and reconfigures these deeply ingrained expectations, revealing the true nature of the Messiah's mission as foretold in their own sacred texts.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound themes central to Luke's narrative and Christian theology. The most prominent is the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, underscored by Jesus' emphatic declaration, "Thus it is written." This statement validates the divine authority of the Old Testament Scriptures and confirms Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah, whose life, death, and resurrection were not random events but part of God's meticulously preordained plan. This theme echoes Jesus' teaching on the [Emmaus Road](/luke/24-25-27 "Luke 24:25-27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures on the Emmaus Road"). Secondly, the phrase "it behoved Christ to suffer" highlights the **Divine Necessity** of His passion. The Greek word *deî* (G1163) conveys an absolute imperative, signifying that Christ's suffering was not merely advisable or possible, but indispensable for the accomplishment of God's redemptive purposes. It was a preordained step towards victory, not a failure. Finally, the mention of His **Centrality of Resurrection** "the third day" emphasizes that His rising from the dead was not an afterthought but an integral and necessary component of the Messiah's work, providing ultimate proof of His victory over sin and death. Without the resurrection, His suffering would have been in vain, as articulated in [1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō_):** A primary verb meaning to "grave" or, more commonly, to write. Figuratively, it means to describe. In this context, "it is written" (perfect passive participle) signifies that the events of Christ's suffering and resurrection were not accidental or spontaneous but were recorded and foretold in the sacred Scriptures, indicating divine authorship and a pre-ordained fulfillment that had already been established in God's eternal plan.
* **behoved (Greek, _deî_):** An impersonal verb meaning "it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)." This term conveys a divine imperative, an absolute necessity arising from God's sovereign will and the inherent nature of His redemptive plan. It underscores that Christ's suffering was not merely advisable or optional but was indispensable for the accomplishment of God's purposes in providing salvation for humanity.
* **rise (Greek, _anístēmi_):** From *anístēmi*, meaning to stand up, to lift up, or to raise up (again). This verb directly refers to the resurrection, signifying Christ's triumph over death and the grave. It is presented as the essential counterpart to His suffering, validating His claims, confirming His identity as Messiah, and securing the promise of new life for all who believe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto them":** This phrase establishes Jesus as the speaker, addressing His disciples directly after His resurrection, in a moment of profound revelation and instruction.
* **"Thus it is written":** Jesus emphasizes that His recent experiences were not random but were in direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. This validates the divine inspiration of Scripture and confirms His identity as the Messiah.
* **"and thus it behoved Christ to suffer":** This clause highlights the divine necessity and preordained nature of the Messiah's suffering and crucifixion. It was not a tragic accident but an essential, indispensable part of God's redemptive plan.
* **"and to rise from the dead the third day":** This specifies the equally necessary and triumphant resurrection of Christ, occurring precisely on the third day, a detail that was also prophesied and held significant theological weight as the ultimate proof of His victory over sin and death.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 24:46 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Fulfillment Language**, particularly in the phrase "Thus it is written," which explicitly connects Jesus' recent experiences to the prophetic declarations of the Old Testament. This serves to validate His messianic claims and demonstrate the continuity of God's redemptive plan across the ages. The use of the Greek word *deî* (translated "it behoved") conveys a **Divine Imperative**, emphasizing that Christ's suffering and resurrection were not merely contingent events but divinely ordained necessities. This highlights God's sovereignty and the non-negotiable nature of His plan. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Juxtaposition** and **Parallelism** by presenting "to suffer" and "to rise from the dead the third day" as two equally essential and complementary components of the Messiah's mission. This pairing underscores that Christ's victory is inextricably linked to His suffering. Finally, the specific mention of "the third day" carries **Symbolic Significance**, pointing beyond mere chronological timing to a divinely appointed moment of completion, triumph, and new creation, echoing other biblical instances of divine intervention on the third day.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:46 stands as a theological cornerstone, revealing the divine blueprint for salvation. It underscores that the suffering and resurrection of Christ were not an unfortunate detour but the very heart of God's preordained plan, necessary for the atonement of humanity's sins and the triumph over death. This verse transforms the disciples' understanding of the Messiah from a conquering political figure to a suffering servant who achieves victory through self-sacrifice and resurrection. It establishes the gospel message as rooted deeply in the Old Testament Scriptures, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ultimate purpose to redeem a fallen world.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - David's Prophecy of Resurrection")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 24:46 offers profound comfort and a robust foundation for faith in the face of life's uncertainties. It reminds us that even the most painful and seemingly chaotic events in God's plan, such as Christ's suffering, are not random but are part of a divinely necessary and purposeful design leading to ultimate victory. For believers, this means we can trust in God's sovereignty even when our circumstances are difficult to comprehend, knowing that He is working all things together for His glory and our good. Just as Jesus opened the disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures, we are called to diligently engage with God's Word, allowing it to illuminate His purposes and deepen our understanding of His redemptive work. This verse compels us to anchor our hope not in fleeting earthly expectations, but in the enduring reality of Christ's finished work—His necessary suffering and His triumphant resurrection—which guarantees our own hope of new life and eternal salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the divine necessity of Christ's suffering and resurrection deepen your trust in God's sovereign plan for your own life, especially during times of difficulty?**
* **In what ways might your current expectations of God or your faith need to be re-aligned with the "thus it is written" reality of His revealed Word?**
* **How can you more intentionally engage with the Old Testament Scriptures to see Christ and His redemptive work foreshadowed and fulfilled?**

### FAQ
**Why was it "necessary" for Christ to suffer and rise from the dead?**

Answer: The necessity of Christ's suffering and resurrection, as stated in [Luke 24:46](/luke/24-46 "Luke 24:46 - The Necessity of Christ's Suffering and Resurrection"), stems from God's eternal redemptive plan. His suffering was necessary for atonement, to pay the penalty for humanity's sin, satisfying God's justice while demonstrating His profound love ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Without His suffering, there could be no forgiveness of sins ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")). The resurrection was equally necessary as the ultimate proof of His victory over sin and death, validating His claims as the Son of God and securing our justification ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus' Resurrection for Our Justification")). It was the essential confirmation that His sacrifice was accepted by God, guaranteeing new life and hope for all who believe ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection")). Both elements were prophesied throughout the Old Testament and were indispensable for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the establishment of His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:46 stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, for in this verse, Jesus Himself reveals that He is the very subject and culmination of all Old Testament prophecy. His suffering, though seemingly a defeat, was the necessary act of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fulfilling the sacrificial system and bearing the curse of humanity on the cross. His resurrection "the third day" is the triumphant vindication of His identity and work, demonstrating His absolute victory over sin, death, and the grave, and ushering in the new creation. This resurrection is the guarantee of our own justification ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus' Resurrection for Our Justification")) and the promise of new life in Him ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - New Life in Christ")). Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah, is the one in whom all the Scriptures find their ultimate meaning, revealing God's perfect plan to reconcile humanity to Himself through His Son, who disarmed the powers and authorities and triumphed over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")).

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

Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 50:6

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Luke 24:44

And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:7

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.