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 24:44KJV
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Luke 24:44 (KJV)

What does Luke 24:44 mean?

Luke 24:44 records Jesus telling his disciples that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled. Jesus is explaining that his life, death, and resurrection were all part of what was foretold in the Jewish Scriptures.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his followers after his resurrection, helping them understand how the events they witnessed fit into God’s larger plan. By naming the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, Jesus refers to the three main sections of the Hebrew Scriptures, showing that the whole of Scripture pointed to him.

The Greek behind Luke 24:44

  • νόμος (nomos, "law"): This word refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which were foundational for Jewish teaching and identity. Jesus points to these writings as containing prophecies about him.
  • ψαλμοί (psalmoi, "psalms"): This term is used here to represent not just the Book of Psalms but the entire section of the Hebrew Scriptures known as the "Writings," which included Psalms and other books. Jesus is saying that even the poetic and wisdom books spoke about him.
  • πληρωθῆναι (plērōthēnai, "fulfilled"): This verb means to bring to completion or to accomplish fully. Jesus emphasizes that the Scriptures were not just predictions but promises that had to reach their intended goal in him.

Why Luke 24:44 matters

  • Luke 24:44 clarifies that Jesus saw his mission as the fulfillment of the entire Hebrew Bible, not just isolated prophecies, tying together the story of Israel with his own story.
  • This verse helps readers see that Jesus’ followers needed help understanding how his suffering and resurrection fit with their expectations of the Messiah, and Jesus patiently explains it to them.
  • The verse sets up the rest of Luke 24, where Jesus opens the disciples’ minds to understand the Scriptures, showing that understanding the Bible often requires guidance and reflection.

Where else these words appear

“psalms” Greek G5568 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 20:42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
  • Acts 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
  • Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

“Moses” Greek G3475 · used in 79 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
  • Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

“yet” Greek G2089 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 24:41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
  • Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

“fulfilled” Greek G4137 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
  • Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.