Jesus emphasizes that the disciples' current understanding is not a new revelation, but the fulfillment of things He already spoke to them while He was still with them. The specific division into "the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms" highlights that this was the complete Jewish understanding of Scripture, pointing to Him as the central theme throughout. This shows that the Old Testament wasn't just a collection of ancient writings, but a unified testimony about Him all along.
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples, proving he is alive by eating with them. He then reminds them that he had spoken to them about all these events – his suffering and resurrection – while he was still with them. He explains that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled, framing his entire life and death as the culmination of ancient Scripture.
Ever felt like the Old Testament is just a collection of old stories? Jesus here shows us something profound: it's all pointing to Him!
The Whole Old Testament Points to Christ
Jesus gathers His disciples and, in essence, says, "Remember all those things I told you while I was still with you? Well, now you can see how they all play out."
He highlights that the entire Old Testament – the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms – was always about Him. This wasn't a new revelation for the disciples; it was a reminder and a clarification of what they had heard before.
The Jewish people had a common way of dividing their scriptures: the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim), often represented by the Psalms. Jesus uses this familiar structure to show that His life, death, and resurrection were the climax of God's unfolding plan, written about long before.
It's a powerful reminder that Scripture isn't a fragmented collection of texts, but a unified, God-breathed narrative with Jesus at its very center.
Jesus uses a strong word here – 'must be fulfilled.' What does that divine necessity tell us about God's plan?
God's Unshakeable Purpose
Jesus declares that everything written about Him in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms "must be fulfilled." The Greek word used here, dei, carries a strong sense of necessity, obligation, or even destiny. It implies that these events weren't optional or accidental; they were essential parts of God's sovereign plan.
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This wasn't just about Jesus predicting events; it was about the inevitability of God's redemptive purposes unfolding exactly as He ordained. His suffering, death, and resurrection were not merely suggestions but necessary steps in securing salvation for humanity.
This 'must' is a testament to God's faithfulness and His absolute control over history. Even when things seemed chaotic or contrary to human expectations, God's Word and His plan were always moving toward their divinely appointed fulfillment in Christ.
Understand the original words
nomos · Greek Noun
The Law (Torah) of Moses, the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim), which include the Psalms, collectively comprising the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
The prophetic books of the Old Testament, which serve as the second major section of the Hebrew Bible and contain divine messages regarding God's will, future events, and the coming Messiah.
psalmos · Greek Noun
The collection of hymns and poems in the Hebrew Bible, viewed as divinely inspired and containing significant messianic prophecies.
plēroō · Greek Verb
To bring to completion or to accomplish fully what was promised or predicted; in a biblical context, it refers to Jesus perfectly realizing the redemptive purposes foretold in the Old Testament.
graphē · Greek Noun
The holy writings or sacred texts of the Old Testament, believed to be breathed out by God and authoritative for faith and life.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Greek term for the Hebrew 'Messiah,' referring to the Anointed One of God who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies regarding the redeemer of Israel. He is the central figure of the New Testament, embodying the roles of prophet, priest, and king.
This verse highlights Jesus' consistent teaching about the Old Testament pointing to Him, and emphasizes how His post-resurrection ministry was crucial for His followers to finally understand the Scriptures in light of His fulfillment of prophecy.
c. 400 BC - 1st Century AD
Division of the Hebrew Bible
During this period, the Jewish people commonly divided their scriptures into three sections: the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings (often represented by the Psalms). This categorization was a familiar framework for Jesus' audience.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Earthly Ministry
Jesus frequently taught His disciples, often referencing the Old Testament scriptures and explaining how they pointed to Him, though His followers struggled to fully grasp these teachings.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The pivotal events of Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection fulfilled numerous prophecies. However, His disciples were initially confused and disbelieving, struggling to reconcile these events with their understanding of the Scriptures.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Post-Resurrection Appearances
In the days following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples multiple times, patiently explaining how His suffering and death were foretold in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms.
c. AD 30-33
Opening of Disciples' Understanding
Jesus specifically opened His disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures, enabling them to see the fulfillment of prophecy concerning Him, transforming their confusion into faith.
c. AD 33
The Great Commission Issued
After preparing His disciples, Jesus commissioned them to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem, and commanded them to wait for the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
Jesus starts by pointing to the foundational texts of the Law of Moses, reminding his disciples that the entire created order, as described in Genesis, points to Him as the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan.
Psalm 22:1This deeply personal psalm, which Jesus himself quoted on the cross, perfectly captures the suffering He endured, demonstrating how the Psalms were filled with prophetic foreshadowing of His passion.
Isaiah 53:1-12This iconic 'suffering servant' passage from the Prophets is a clear and powerful prediction of the Messiah's sacrifice for the sins of His people, a theme Jesus is now emphasizing to His disciples.
John 5:46Jesus himself told the Pharisees that if they truly believed Moses, they would believe Him, because Moses wrote about Him. This passage directly supports Jesus' claim that His ministry fulfills the Law.
Acts 17:2-3Paul's example in the synagogue shows how he systematically reasoned from the Old Testament Scriptures – the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms – to prove that Jesus was indeed the Christ.
vincentLuke 24:44: "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
The wordsThe best texts insert my.Must (δεῖ)See on ought not, Luke 24:26.
ellicottLuke 24:44: "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
(44) These are the words which I spake unto you. —As with the travellers to Emmaus, so now with the Ten who were present, our Lord leads His disciples to the true method of interpreting the prophecies which foretold the Christ. And that method was not an afterth…
Jesus emphasizes that the disciples' current understanding is not a new revelation, but the fulfillment of things He already spoke to them while He was still with them. The specific division into "the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms" highlights that this was the complete Jewish understanding of Scripture, pointing to Him as the central theme throughout. This shows that the Old Testament wasn't just a collection of ancient writings, but a unified testimony about Him all along.
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples, proving he is alive by eating with them. He then reminds them that he had spoken to them about all these events – his suffering and resurrection – while he was still with them. He explains that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled, framing his entire life and death as the culmination of ancient Scripture.
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples, proving he is alive by eating with them. He then reminds them that he had spoken to them about all these events – his suffering and resurrection – while he was still with them. He explains that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled, framing his entire life and death as the culmination of ancient Scripture.
"Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the…" — Jesus emphasizes that the disciples' current understanding is not a new revelation, but the fulfillment of things He already spoke to them while He was still with them. The specific division into "th…
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Last reviewed October 2026
