Luke 24:21

Luke 24:21

Luke 24:21 presents the disciples’ claim: “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.” They had hoped Jesus would redeem Israel, yet their expectations were tied to national deliverance rather than the broader cosmic redemptive work. The phrase shows their disappointment and the tension between their expectations and the actual events. The “third day” reference points back to Jesus’ predicted resurrection and to biblical patterns of restoration occurring after trials. The verse captures a moment of disillusionment, where the disciples’ hopes are challenged by reality, setting up the moment of revelation when Jesus appears to them.

This verse foregrounds the messianic expectation and the need to reinterpret it through the lens of resurrection. It highlights that Jesus’ mission was not merely political liberation but the deeper work of redeeming humanity and restoring creation. The third day motif resonates with biblical patterns of restoration and vindication after suffering, aligning with the typology of Jonah and Jesus’ own predictions.

Our own hopes can collide with reality. The text invites honest reflection: what did you expect God to do that has not yet happened? Use this as a chance to recalibrate expectations toward God’s larger redemptive plan. Practice re-reading current disappointments in light of the resurrection: where might God be at work in the background? Seek community to process disillusionment and align your hope with the eternal promises rather than limited political or personal outcomes. This can nurture perseverance and faithfulness.

Cross-References: Hosea 6:1-2; Jonah 1-2; Luke 24:25-27; Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4