How does Luke 24:7 affirm the prophecy of Jesus' resurrection? Text of Luke 24:7 “‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ ” Immediate Narrative Setting Luke’s angels remind the women at the empty tomb of words Jesus had spoken in Galilee (Luke 24:6). This retrospective appeal underscores that the resurrection was not an unforeseen twist but a foretold necessity woven into Jesus’ own prior teaching, framing the event as fulfillment rather than surprise. Jesus’ Prior Passion Predictions in Luke • Luke 9:22: “The Son of Man must suffer many things… be killed, and on the third day be raised.” • Luke 18:31-33: Jesus tells the Twelve that “everything written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled… they will kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.” Luke 24:7 echoes these precise statements word-for-word, proving internal consistency and intentional prophecy. Old Testament Background to the Third-Day Resurrection 1. Psalm 16:10—“You will not abandon my soul to Sheol” anticipates preservation from decay, applied to Christ in Acts 2:25-32. 2. Hosea 6:2—“After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up” provides the “third day” idiom of covenant restoration. 3. Jonah 1:17—Jonah’s three days in the fish is typological (cf. Matthew 12:40). 4. Isaiah 53:10-12 speaks of the Servant prolonging His days after suffering. Luke 24:7 compresses these motifs, affirming that the prophets foresaw both suffering and vindication. The Divine Imperative in the Verb “Must” (δεῖ) Luke uses δεῖ to mark events decreed by God’s redemptive plan (cf. Luke 2:49; 4:43; 13:33; 24:44). In 24:7, the cross and resurrection are not contingencies but necessities grounded in divine prophecy, validating Jesus’ Messiahship and Yahweh’s sovereignty. Corroboration from the Other Gospels • Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34 and Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19 contain parallel triple predictions. The quadruple-gospel agreement on the sequence—betrayal, crucifixion, third-day rising—demonstrates an early, fixed tradition, precluding legendary development. Early Creedal Confirmation (1 Cor 15:3-5) Within five years of the events, Paul recites a creed “that Christ died… was buried… was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” The wording mirrors Luke 24:7, testifying that the prophecy-fulfillment framework pre-dates Paul’s conversion. This linkage authenticates Luke’s record and shows continuity between Jesus’ foresight and apostolic preaching. Archaeological and Historical Supports • The Nazareth Inscription (1st cent. edict forbidding tomb disturbance) corroborates early controversy over a missing body. • Ossuary evidence for crucifixion (e.g., Yehohanan’s heel bone with nail) aligns with gospel descriptions of Roman execution practice. These finds situate Luke’s narrative in verifiable first-century Judaea, lending credibility to the prophecy-fulfillment claim. Theological Significance By tying crucifixion and resurrection into a single prophetic package, Luke 24:7 grounds salvation in both substitutionary atonement and victorious life. The verse validates Jesus’ identity, secures justification (Romans 4:25), and anchors Christian hope in a historically demonstrated triumph over death. Conclusion Luke 24:7 encapsulates Jesus’ own prophecy of betrayal, crucifixion, and third-day resurrection, echoing Old Testament patterns, harmonizing with earlier Lucan predictions, verified by early creed, buttressed by manuscript solidity, and borne out by historical evidence. Its fulfillment establishes Jesus as the promised Messiah, authenticates the Scriptures, and clinches the foundation of the gospel. |
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