How does Luke 10:24 connect with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies?

Setting the scene

“‘For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.’ ” (Luke 10:24)

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The longing of prophets and kings

• Prophets wrote of a coming Redeemer, yet never lived to witness Him.

• God–honoring kings like David and Hezekiah anticipated the Messiah’s reign but only saw it “from a distance” (cf. Hebrews 11:39–40).

• Their inspired words formed a prophetic tapestry that pointed to Jesus—now standing before the disciples.

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Key Old Testament prophecies now coming alive

1. Birth and lineage

– Genesis 3:15; 12:3; 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Micah 5:2

2. Ministry of miraculous mercy

– Isaiah 35:5-6: “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.”

– Isaiah 61:1: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me … to preach good news.”

3. Authority over evil powers

– Genesis 3:15; Psalm 91:13; Zechariah 3:1-4

4. Proclamation of the kingdom

– Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; Isaiah 9:6-7

Every line is now visibly fulfilled in Jesus’ words and works recorded throughout Luke 1–10.

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Jesus as the living fulfillment

• Luke 4:17-21—He reads Isaiah 61:1-2 and declares, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

• Luke 7:22—He answers John’s messengers with Isaiah 35 language: “The blind receive sight … the deaf hear … the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

• Luke 10:17—Even the seventy-two experience demons submitting “in Your name,” echoing Genesis 3:15 victory over the serpent.

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What the disciples are seeing and hearing

• The Messiah’s physical presence—something prophets only foresaw (1 Peter 1:10-12).

• Miraculous signs predicted centuries earlier.

• The inaugural preaching of the gospel of the kingdom.

• Authority over Satan, confirming Genesis 3:15 and Psalm 110:1.

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Why Luke 10:24 matters for prophecy’s fulfillment

• It validates the literal accuracy of Old Testament prophecy—every promise finds concrete realization in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

• It highlights the privileged moment of the disciples, standing at the hinge of redemptive history.

• It assures readers that the same faithful God who kept ancient promises will keep every remaining promise—including Christ’s return (Acts 1:11) and the final restoration foretold in Isaiah 65:17-25 and Revelation 21.