Shattered hopes: '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.' Cleopas expresses their disappointment: 'we trusted' (ἡμεῖς ἠλπίζομεν, hēmeis ēlpizomen, imperfect tense—we were hoping, but no longer) 'that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel' (ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ, hoti autos estin ho mellōn lytrousthai ton Israēl). They expected political liberation from Rome; instead Jesus died. The phrase 'beside all this, to day is the third day' indicates they remembered Jesus' prediction but didn't understand it. Their hopes were crushed because they misunderstood Jesus' mission—He came to redeem from sin, not Rome.
Historical Context
The disciples' confession reveals how Jewish messianic expectations shaped and limited their understanding. They wanted national liberation; Jesus offered spiritual salvation. They expected political kingdom; Jesus brought spiritual kingdom. They hoped for immediate glory; Jesus came through suffering to glory. Their misunderstanding was comprehensive—even witnessing resurrection reports (vv. 22-24), they couldn't process them because their paradigm was wrong. Jesus' subsequent Scripture exposition (vv. 25-27) corrected their theology, showing that Christ must suffer before glory. This pattern repeats: humans want earthly deliverance; God offers eternal salvation. We crave comfort; God promises glory through suffering. Our expectations must align with Scripture's revelation.
Questions for Reflection
How did political messianic expectations blind the disciples to Jesus' true mission?
What does their inability to process resurrection despite reports teach about paradigms shaping perception?
How might contemporary Christians similarly misunderstand Jesus' purposes by projecting their expectations onto Him?
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Analysis & Commentary
Shattered hopes: '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.' Cleopas expresses their disappointment: 'we trusted' (ἡμεῖς ἠλπίζομεν, hēmeis ēlpizomen, imperfect tense—we were hoping, but no longer) 'that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel' (ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ, hoti autos estin ho mellōn lytrousthai ton Israēl). They expected political liberation from Rome; instead Jesus died. The phrase 'beside all this, to day is the third day' indicates they remembered Jesus' prediction but didn't understand it. Their hopes were crushed because they misunderstood Jesus' mission—He came to redeem from sin, not Rome.