Luke 24:46

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

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}:

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

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

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

Luke 24:46 is a pivotal verse spoken by Jesus Himself after His resurrection, providing profound insight into the divine plan for His life, death, and triumphant return from the grave. It marks a crucial moment where Jesus clarifies the meaning of His recent suffering and resurrection to His disciples, who were still struggling to comprehend these earth-shattering events.

Context

This verse comes from a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to His disciples in Jerusalem. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus had appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), explaining to them "the things concerning himself" in all the Scriptures. Here, He extends that teaching to the broader group, opening their understanding of the Old Testament prophecies that foretold His mission. The disciples were initially terrified and disbelieving, thinking they saw a spirit, but Jesus showed them His hands and feet and even ate with them to prove His physical resurrection (Luke 24:36-43).

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus emphatically states, "Thus it is written." This highlights that His suffering and resurrection were not random events but were meticulously foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures. This declaration serves to validate His identity as the Messiah and the divine authority of God's Word. It connects His recent actions directly to centuries of prophetic expectation.
  • Divine Necessity: The phrase "it behoved Christ to suffer" (Greek: dei) conveys a sense of divine necessity or obligation. It was not merely possible or advisable for Christ to suffer, but it was absolutely essential, a non-negotiable part of God's redemptive plan for humanity. This suffering was not a failure but a preordained step towards victory.
  • The Centrality of Resurrection: Equally important to His suffering was His resurrection "the third day." This emphasizes that the resurrection 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 (1 Corinthians 15:14).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "it behoved Christ to suffer" uses the archaic word "behoved," which means "it was necessary," "it was proper," or "it was fitting." The original Greek word is dei (δεῖ), which denotes a divine imperative or an absolute necessity arising from the nature of things or from divine will. It signifies that Christ's suffering and resurrection were not accidental but divinely ordained and indispensable for the accomplishment of God's purposes.

Related Scriptures

Jesus' explanation here echoes His earlier teaching on the Emmaus road, where He expounded on the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:26-27). The suffering of the Messiah is prophesied in passages such as Isaiah 53:5, which speaks of the Servant who was "wounded for our transgressions." The resurrection on the third day is also anticipated in scriptures like Psalm 16:10. This teaching underscores the foundational message of the gospel: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 24:46 provides immense comfort and assurance. It reminds us that even in suffering, God is sovereign and His plan is unfolding. Christ's death and resurrection are the bedrock of our faith, demonstrating God's ultimate victory over sin and death. This verse encourages us to continually study God's Word, allowing it to open our understanding to His divine purposes, just as Jesus opened the disciples' minds. It calls us to trust in God's perfect timing and His necessary plan, even when circumstances are difficult to comprehend, knowing that His ultimate goal is our redemption and eternal life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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