King James Version

What Does Luke 24:44 Mean?

Luke 24:44 in the King James Version says “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 ful... — study this verse from Luke chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 24:44 · KJV


Context

42

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb .

43

And he took it, and did eat before them.

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.

45

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Fulfillment of Scripture: '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.' Jesus reminds them: 'These are the words which I spake unto you' (Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι μου οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς, Houtoi hoi logoi mou hous elalēsa pros hymas)—He repeatedly predicted death and resurrection. The necessity: 'all things must be fulfilled' (πληρωθῆναι πάντα, plērōthēnai panta). The source: 'the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms' (τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ τοῖς προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς, tō nomō Mōuseōs kai tois prophētais kai psalmois)—the entire Old Testament. All Scripture points to Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' statement encompasses the Hebrew Bible's three divisions: Torah (Law of Moses), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings, including Psalms). This phrase, like 'Moses and the Prophets' (v. 27), means the complete Old Testament. Jesus declares that all Scripture finds fulfillment in Him—not isolated proof-texts but the entire redemptive narrative. The Old Testament anticipates Christ through: (1) types and shadows (tabernacle, sacrifices, priesthood), (2) prophecies (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Daniel 7), (3) patterns (exodus, exile, restoration). The New Testament repeatedly shows how Christ fulfills Scripture (Matthew 5:17, Luke 24:27, John 5:39, Acts 17:2-3, Romans 1:2). Christianity isn't novel religion but fulfillment of Israel's hope.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus claim that all Scripture (Law, Prophets, Psalms) points to Him?
  2. What are ways the Old Testament anticipates Christ—through types, prophecies, and patterns?
  3. Why is it important that Christianity fulfills rather than contradicts the Old Testament?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
Εἶπεν1 of 30

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 30

And

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτοῖς3 of 30

unto them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Οὗτοι4 of 30

These

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

τῷ5 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγοι6 of 30

are the words

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

οὓς7 of 30

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐλάλησα8 of 30

I spake

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

πρὸς9 of 30

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς10 of 30

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἔτι11 of 30

I was yet

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

ὢν12 of 30

while

G5607

being

σὺν13 of 30

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

ὑμῖν14 of 30

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι15 of 30

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

δεῖ16 of 30

must

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

πληρωθῆναι17 of 30

be fulfilled

G4137

to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute

πάντα18 of 30

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῷ19 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γεγραμμένα20 of 30

were written

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ἐν21 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ22 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμῳ23 of 30

the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

Μωσέως24 of 30

of Moses

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

καὶ25 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

προφήταις26 of 30

in the prophets

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

καὶ27 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ψαλμοῖς28 of 30

in the psalms

G5568

a set piece of music, i.e., a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"); collectively, the book of the psalms

περὶ29 of 30

concerning

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

ἐμοῦ30 of 30

me

G1700

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 24:44 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 24:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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