Luke 24:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Due to their earthly perspective and significant uncertainty, the Lord refers to them as foolish and slow to embrace everything that the prophets had proclaimed. It is possible to have partial faith as opposed to a complete faith. For instance, someone who expects Christ to return solely for the redemption of the people, focusing on the restoration and liberation of the Jewish nation rather than the salvation of souls, does not possess the level of belief that is required. Similarly, one who interprets the words of David: (Ps. 15:10), ‘among the dead’ (Ps. 87:6), and ‘frees the prisoners from their chains’ (Ps. 67:7), demonstrates an incomplete faith, as their belief remains partial.

The words of the Lord indicate the path laid out by the law and the work of the prophets preceding the Resurrection, who paved the way for belief in this extraordinary occurrence. This preparation ensures that, following the Resurrection, those bewildered by the divine splendor of the event may recall the ancient prophecies and respond in faith. Consequently, Jesus refers to the witness of Moses and the prophets, bringing to light the truths that were concealed and providing understanding to the deserving, while illuminating for them the foundational and paternal faith rooted in the holy Scriptures. For with God, nothing is fruitless; rather, everything has purpose and order.

In the Scriptures, Jesus begins to clarify the meaning of the texts for His followers so they may comprehend Christ more fully after having distanced themselves from Him. Their faith in Christ was extinguished because they witnessed His death. Therefore, He teaches them through the Scriptures, indicating that if He were not dead, He could not fulfill His role as the Messiah. Drawing from the Law of Moses, the accompanying writings, and the prophets, He reiterates what He had previously informed them: that the Messiah must suffer to enter into His glory (Lk 24:26). As they listened, they experienced joy and longing, confessing that their hearts burned within them. Yet they failed to recognize the Light that was among them.

He referred to them as lacking understanding, gently prompting them to acknowledge Him, and as being slow of heart, similar to those who hesitated to accept all that the prophets had proclaimed regarding His passion and resurrection.

Let us also have affection for the prophets, as they revealed the matters related to the Gospel. They placed their trust in Christ, anticipated His coming, and were redeemed by faith and love through unity with Jesus Christ. By this, they became esteemed and honorable saints, acknowledged by Jesus Christ and included among those who share in the common hope of the Gospel.

The admonitions the Lord gives to His disciples reveal two primary dangers that can undermine our steadfastness and loyalty in serving God. Frequently, individuals neglect to educate themselves on the truths of the Gospel—truths that a fallen nature often finds hard to accept. This neglect leads to a deficiency of enlightenment and spiritual strength to delve deeply into the profound mystery of the cross, which embodies the essence of human existence, the sole promise of salvation, and the only avenue to eternal life. The Savior’s rebukes serve as manifestations of His tender care for those whose timidity arises more from frailty than from wickedness, as well as for sinners whom He desires to guide away from their missteps.

On the contrary, there remained some who did not believe (Mark 16:13). Furthermore, not all those who did believe fully comprehended His current condition. It was essential for the Lord to provide them with new spiritual nourishment to prepare for their future mission and to reinforce their previous bonds with Him. Therefore, the Lord intended to appear to them collectively. With the uncertainty of faith looming over them, the grace of the Holy Spirit was set to depart until it was completely bestowed upon them on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit would be summoned. Before that, however, the Lord sought to bring back some who had left Jerusalem, including Cleopas, a relative of the Lord (Mary, Cleopas's wife, is referred to as the sister of the Mother of God in John 19:25).

As Cleopas and the other disciple shared the message of the angels who had visited them, proclaiming that Jesus was alive, their reaction was one of profound skepticism regarding His resurrection. They remarked that the women had bewildered us. Jesus then responded, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?" He proceeded to clarify everything the prophets had foretold about Himself, guiding them through the Scriptures, starting with Moses.

The notion of a suffering Messiah was so foreign to the prevailing beliefs that it became essential for Christ to clarify to the apostles the impending disaster in Jerusalem, which He had anticipated from the very beginning but was only now nearing its fulfillment. He needed to convey that this event was a crucial part of God’s divine plan in forming a new spiritual kingdom. While some scribes during Christ's time recognized that the Messiah would endure suffering and death based on the familiar passages from the prophet Isaiah regarding the suffering servant bearing our transgressions, this perspective did not gain widespread acceptance. Rather, it stood in stark contrast to the commonly held beliefs of the people.

He then addressed them, taking on the demeanor of a Rabbi well-versed in the Scriptures, yet withholding His true identity. He made it clear that the root of their spiritual uncertainty lay within themselves. He referred to them as unwise and slow to believe all that had been prophesied. While Christ acknowledged that they had some understanding and a partial belief, He emphasized that they lacked complete faith. It is indeed possible to believe partially and wholly; their faith was incomplete and thus failed to illuminate their entire being with divine light, leaving darkened areas of their souls that were weighed down by sorrow and confusion. It is essential to embrace everything foretold by the prophets; only then will they grasp the significance of the events they witnessed concerning their Master and fully accept His resurrection.