Then
he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:45
Luke 24 [42.] They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. He took them, and ate in front of them. He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
Luke 24 [45.] Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24 [50.] He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. While he blessed them, he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven. They worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Meaning:
On the evening of the resurrection, the risen Jesus appeared to his gathered disciples in Jerusalem. He showed them his hands and feet, ate in front of them, and then did something they could never have done for themselves: he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. This short verse marks the turning point from confusion to understanding in the disciples' lives.
- From Slow Hearts to Opened Minds
Throughout the Gospels the disciples struggled to understand. Jesus once asked them, "Are you also without understanding?" (Mark 7:17). They did not grasp his repeated predictions of his death and resurrection. Even on the road to Emmaus earlier that same day, two disciples were so downcast that Jesus called them slow of heart to believe what the prophets had spoken. Now, finally, the risen Lord opened their minds.
The verb Luke uses for "opened" is related to the word Jesus spoke over the deaf man in the Decapolis: "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!" (Mark 7:31-37). The same Lord who opened deaf ears opens closed minds.
- The Law, the Prophets and the Psalms
Jesus had just said that everything written about him "in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms" must be fulfilled. These were the three great divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures, so Jesus was claiming that the whole Old Testament points to him. He did not give the disciples a new Bible; he gave them new eyes to see Christ in the Bible they already had.
- Understanding Leads to Mission
Understanding was not given for private enjoyment. Immediately Jesus explained that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). The disciples would be his witnesses, empowered by "the promise of my Father," the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). The Spirit would continue the work begun here; Jesus had promised that the Spirit would teach them all things (John 14:26).
The Significance of Luke 24:45
- Understanding Is a Gift
Spiritual understanding does not come from intelligence alone. "The natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). We should read Scripture prayerfully, asking the risen Lord to open our minds as he opened theirs.
- Ask with Confidence
God delights to give wisdom: "Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6). James promises that whoever lacks wisdom may "ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach" (James 1:5). The same patient Teacher who opened the disciples' minds still teaches those who come to him.
Cross-References:
Mark 7:17-18: "Are you also without understanding?" The disciples' long struggle to understand finds its answer after the resurrection.
Luke 24:47: "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Opened minds lead to a worldwide mission.
1 Corinthians 2:14: "The natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Understanding God's truth requires the work of his Spirit.
James 1:5: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him." God gladly gives understanding to those who ask.
Conclusion: Luke 24:45 records the moment when the risen Jesus opened his disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures. Their long confusion gave way to clear sight of Christ in all the Bible, and that understanding sent them out as witnesses to the nations. The same Lord still opens minds and hearts today for all who seek him in his word.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible