This verse is part of the story of the resurrected Jesus appearing to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Let's break down its meaning:
"He said to them, 'What things?'": Jesus is deliberately feigning ignorance. He knows perfectly well what they're talking about, but he's drawing them out, prompting them to articulate their pain and confusion. He's creating a teaching moment.
"They said to him, 'The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene...'": The disciples are referring to the recent events in Jerusalem: the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and now the rumors of the empty tomb of Jesus.
"...who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;'": This is a key statement. It reveals how the disciples viewed Jesus before his crucifixion. They considered him:
A prophet: A messenger of God, speaking with divine authority.
Mighty in deed: Performing powerful miracles and acts of healing.
Mighty in word: Teaching with wisdom and authority that captivated people.
Before God and all the people: His reputation for both his actions and teachings was widely known and respected by both religious authority and everyday citizens.
In summary, the verse shows:
Jesus's strategy of engagement: He draws out the disciples' feelings and beliefs before revealing himself.
The disciples' perspective of Jesus before the Resurrection: They saw him as a powerful prophet, but their understanding was limited to a earthly perspective. The crucifixion shattered their expectations and left them disillusioned. They had not yet grasped the full meaning of his mission, including his suffering, death, and resurrection. They were still looking for a political/earthly messiah to save them from Roman rule, but Jesus was after something greater.
The rest of the Emmaus story reveals how Jesus then uses the Scriptures to explain his suffering and resurrection to them, leading to their recognition of him and a renewed understanding of his purpose.
This verse is part of the story of the resurrected Jesus appearing to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Let's break down its meaning:
"He said to them, 'What things?'": Jesus is deliberately feigning ignorance. He knows perfectly well what they're talking about, but he's drawing them out, prompting them to articulate their pain and confusion. He's creating a teaching moment.
"They said to him, 'The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene...'": The disciples are referring to the recent events in Jerusalem: the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and now the rumors of the empty tomb of Jesus.
"...who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;'": This is a key statement. It reveals how the disciples viewed Jesus before his crucifixion. They considered him:
A prophet: A messenger of God, speaking with divine authority.
Mighty in deed: Performing powerful miracles and acts of healing.
Mighty in word: Teaching with wisdom and authority that captivated people.
Before God and all the people: His reputation for both his actions and teachings was widely known and respected by both religious authority and everyday citizens.
In summary, the verse shows:
Jesus's strategy of engagement: He draws out the disciples' feelings and beliefs before revealing himself.
The disciples' perspective of Jesus before the Resurrection: They saw him as a powerful prophet, but their understanding was limited to a earthly perspective. The crucifixion shattered their expectations and left them disillusioned. They had not yet grasped the full meaning of his mission, including his suffering, death, and resurrection. They were still looking for a political/earthly messiah to save them from Roman rule, but Jesus was after something greater.
The rest of the Emmaus story reveals how Jesus then uses the Scriptures to explain his suffering and resurrection to them, leading to their recognition of him and a renewed understanding of his purpose.