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Selected Verse: Luke 24:21 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Lu 24:21	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
we trusted, &c.--They expected the promised Deliverance at His hand, but in the current sense of it, not by His death. besides all this--not only did His death seem to give the fatal blow to their hopes, but He had been two days dead already, and this was the third. It is true, they add, some of our women gave us a surprise, telling us of a vision of angels they had at the empty grave this morning that said He was alive, and some of ourselves who went thither confirmed their statement; but then Himself they saw not. A doleful tale truly, told out of the deepest despondency.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

we trusted, &c.--They expected the promised Deliverance at His hand, but in the current sense of it, not by His death.

besides all this--not only did His death seem to give the fatal blow to their hopes, but He had been two days dead already, and this was the third. It is true, they add, some of our women gave us a surprise, telling us of a vision of angels they had at the empty grave this morning that said He was alive, and some of ourselves who went thither confirmed their statement; but then Himself they saw not. A doleful tale truly, told out of the deepest despondency.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
We trusted - We hoped and expected. Should have redeemed Israel - That he was the Messiah, who would have delivered the nation from the Romans. Besides all this - It is to be observed that Cleopas states things just as they occurred to his own mind. There is little connection. His mind is confused and distracted. There were so many things that were remarkable in Jesus; there was so much evidence that he was the Messiah; their hopes had been so suddenly dashed by his death, and the succeeding events had been so wonderful, that his mind was confused, and he knew not what to think. The things which he now stated served to increase his perplexity. The expressions here are perfectly natural. They bespeak an agitated mind. They are simple touches of nature, which show that the book was not forged. If the book had been the work of imposture, this artless and perplexed narrative would not have been thought of. Today is the third day ... - Jesus had foretold them that he would rise on the third day. This they did not understand; but it is not improbable that they looked to this day expecting something wonderful, and that the visit to the sepulchre had called it to their recollection, and they were more and more amazed when they put all these things together. As if they had said, "The third day is come, and we have not seen him. Yet we begin to remember his promise - the angels have informed us that he is alive - but we do not know how to put these things together, or what to make of them."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

We trusted - We hoped and expected.

Should have redeemed Israel - That he was the Messiah, who would have delivered the nation from the Romans.

Besides all this - It is to be observed that Cleopas states things just as they occurred to his own mind. There is little connection. His mind is confused and distracted. There were so many things that were remarkable in Jesus; there was so much evidence that he was the Messiah; their hopes had been so suddenly dashed by his death, and the succeeding events had been so wonderful, that his mind was confused, and he knew not what to think. The things which he now stated served to increase his perplexity. The expressions here are perfectly natural. They bespeak an agitated mind. They are simple touches of nature, which show that the book was not forged. If the book had been the work of imposture, this artless and perplexed narrative would not have been thought of.

Today is the third day ... - Jesus had foretold them that he would rise on the third day. This they did not understand; but it is not improbable that they looked to this day expecting something wonderful, and that the visit to the sepulchre had called it to their recollection, and they were more and more amazed when they put all these things together. As if they had said, "The third day is come, and we have not seen him. Yet we begin to remember his promise - the angels have informed us that he is alive - but we do not know how to put these things together, or what to make of them."

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
trusted (See Scofield) - (Mat 3:2). redeemed (See Scofield) - (Rom 3:24).

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]

trusted

(See Scofield) - (Mat 3:2).

redeemed

(See Scofield) - (Rom 3:24).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Trusted (ἠλπίζομεν) More correctly, hoped. Imperfect: were hoping all the while. Should have redeemed Rev., more correctly, should redeem (λυτροῦσθαι). See on Pe1 1:18. Beside all this (σὺν πᾶσιν τούτοις) Lit., with all these things: his betrayal and crucifixion, etc. To-day is the third day (τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον) The best texts omit to-day. The phrase forms an idiom which cannot be neatly rendered. Literally it is, "He (Christ) is passing (ἄγει) this day as the third." Rev., It is now the third day since, etc.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Trusted (ἠλπίζομεν)

More correctly, hoped. Imperfect: were hoping all the while.

Should have redeemed

Rev., more correctly, should redeem (λυτροῦσθαι). See on Pe1 1:18.

Beside all this (σὺν πᾶσιν τούτοις)

Lit., with all these things: his betrayal and crucifixion, etc.

To-day is the third day (τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον)

The best texts omit to-day. The phrase forms an idiom which cannot be neatly rendered. Literally it is, "He (Christ) is passing (ἄγει) this day as the third." Rev., It is now the third day since, etc.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
To - day is the third day - The day he should have risen again, if at all.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

To - day is the third day - The day he should have risen again, if at all.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Cleopas paints the real state of his own mind in these verses. In his relation there is scarcely any thing well connected; important points are referred to, and not explained, though he considered the person to whom he spoke as entirely unacquainted with these transactions: his own hopes and fears he cannot help mixing with the narration, and throwing over the whole that confusion that dwells in his own heart. The narration is not at all in Luke's style; but as it is probable he was the other disciple who was present, and had heard the words of Cleopas, he gave them in that simple, natural, artless manner in which they were spoken. Had the account been forged, those simple, natural touches would not have appeared. To-day is the third day - Our Lord had often said that he would rise again the third day; and though Alpheus had little hope of this resurrection, yet he could not help recollecting the words he had heard, especially as they seemed to be confirmed by the relation of the women, Luk 24:22-24.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Cleopas paints the real state of his own mind in these verses. In his relation there is scarcely any thing well connected; important points are referred to, and not explained, though he considered the person to whom he spoke as entirely unacquainted with these transactions: his own hopes and fears he cannot help mixing with the narration, and throwing over the whole that confusion that dwells in his own heart. The narration is not at all in Luke's style; but as it is probable he was the other disciple who was present, and had heard the words of Cleopas, he gave them in that simple, natural, artless manner in which they were spoken. Had the account been forged, those simple, natural touches would not have appeared.

To-day is the third day - Our Lord had often said that he would rise again the third day; and though Alpheus had little hope of this resurrection, yet he could not help recollecting the words he had heard, especially as they seemed to be confirmed by the relation of the women, Luk 24:22-24.

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