Devine Scripture

Luke 24:21

What does Luke 24:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:21 means

They confess, “We hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel,” revealing expectations shaped by national deliverance more than by a suffering Messiah. The third day has arrived since these events, a hint that should have stirred memory of Jesus’ predictions, yet it only deepens their disappointment. Their timeline awareness lacks theological understanding. They longed for redemption but could not imagine a cross-shaped path to it. Their words expose the tension between human hopes and God’s wiser plan: redemption indeed has come, but in a far deeper and wider way than they had dared dream.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But we were hoping that he would be the Saviour of Israel. In addition to all this he has now let three days go by from the time when these things took place;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and we were hoping that he it is who is about to redeem Israel, and also with all these things, this third day is passing to-day, since these things happened.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But we hoped that it was he that should have redeemed Israel. And now besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But we had hoped that he was [the one] who is about to redeem Israel. But then, besides all these things, it is now, to-day, the third day since these things took place.

Context

After recounting Jesus’ condemnation and crucifixion (v. 20), the travelers reveal their dashed expectations in verse 21. The mention of the third day subtly anticipates the resolution Jesus will supply, especially since the women’s report included angels saying He is alive. Verses 22–24 will outline those reports and the partial confirmations, highlighting the unsettled state of the community. The narrative is building to Jesus’ corrective in verses 25–27, where He will insist that suffering preceded glory by divine necessity. Their disappointed hope becomes the doorway for true hope to enter.

v.20and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

v.21This passage

v.22Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:6

    They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

  • Luke 2:38

    And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

  • 1 Peter 1:18

    knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;

  • Psalms 130:8

    And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

  • Luke 1:68

    Blessedbethe Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people,

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