Devine Scripture

Luke 24:25

What does Luke 24:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:25 means

Jesus rebukes them as foolish and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. The issue is not lack of data but reluctance to embrace the full testimony of Scripture. They had selectively believed hopeful parts while ignoring the promised sufferings of the Christ. His strong words are medicinal, not cruel—meant to awaken. True wisdom submits to the whole counsel of God, even when it upends our expectations. The risen Lord stands as the interpreter of the prophets, calling disciples to trust what God has long revealed rather than to cling to narrow dreams of immediate triumph.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, O foolish men! how slow you are to give belief to what the prophets have said.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said unto them, `O inconsiderate and slow in heart, to believe on all that the prophets spake!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then he said to them: O foolish and slow of heart to believe in all things, Which the prophets have spoken.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, O senseless and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Context

After hearing their summary with its hesitations (vv. 19–24), Jesus speaks decisively in verse 25. His rebuke prepares for the necessary lesson in verses 26–27. The shift from their perspective to His authority marks a turning point. The chapter has shown multiple witnesses and signs, but now the key is acceptance of Scripture’s comprehensive witness. This flow anticipates the later scene with the gathered disciples (vv. 44–46), where Jesus again roots everything in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms. The Emmaus travelers will soon have their categories reformed before their eyes are finally opened.

v.24And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

v.25This passage

v.26Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?

Cross references

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

  • Mark 16:14

    And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen.

  • Mark 7:18

    And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him;

  • Mark 9:19

    And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me.

  • Hebrews 5:11

    Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.

  • Mark 8:17

    And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened?

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