Then He opened their mindsThis phrase indicates a divine action by Jesus, suggesting that understanding spiritual truths requires divine intervention. In the context of
Luke 24, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after His resurrection. The opening of their minds signifies a supernatural enlightenment, allowing them to comprehend what was previously hidden. This act is reminiscent of the Old Testament instances where God grants wisdom and understanding, such as in
Daniel 2:21, where God gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
to understand the Scriptures
The Scriptures here refer to the Hebrew Bible, what Christians call the Old Testament. Jesus is helping the disciples see how the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings all point to Him as the Messiah. This understanding is crucial for the early church's teaching and preaching, as it forms the basis for the apostolic message found in Acts and the Epistles. The fulfillment of prophecies, such as those inIsaiah 53 andPsalm 22, becomes clear through this divine revelation. This moment is pivotal, as it transitions the disciples from confusion to clarity, enabling them to carry out the Great Commission with a full understanding of Jesus' mission and the kingdom of God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe resurrected Lord who appears to His disciples and opens their minds to understand the Scriptures.
2.
The DisciplesThe followers of Jesus who are present with Him and receive the opening of their minds.
3.
JerusalemThe city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and prophecy fulfillment.
4.
The ScripturesRefers to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), which Jesus explains to His disciples.
5.
The ResurrectionThe pivotal event that has just occurred, providing the context for Jesus' teaching.
Teaching Points
The Role of Jesus in Understanding ScriptureJesus is central to understanding the Bible. Without His revelation, the Scriptures remain closed to us.
The Necessity of Divine IlluminationJust as Jesus opened the disciples' minds, we need the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding of God's Word.
The Importance of the Old TestamentJesus used the Old Testament to explain His mission, underscoring its continued relevance for Christians today.
The Transformative Power of ScriptureUnderstanding Scripture transforms our lives, equipping us for every good work and deepening our relationship with God.
The Call to Study and Meditate on ScriptureWe are encouraged to diligently study and meditate on the Bible, seeking God's guidance and wisdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 24:45?
2.How can we allow God to "open our minds" to understand Scripture today?
3.What role does prayer play in gaining understanding of God's Word?
4.How does Luke 24:45 connect with 2 Timothy 3:16 about Scripture's purpose?
5.In what ways can we apply Jesus' teaching method in our Bible studies?
6.How can understanding Scripture deepen our relationship with Christ and others?
7.How does Luke 24:45 impact our understanding of divine revelation and human comprehension?
8.Why is the opening of minds significant in Luke 24:45 for interpreting Scripture?
9.What does Luke 24:45 suggest about the necessity of divine intervention in understanding the Bible?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 24?
11.Revelation 6 compared to Matthew 24--Why do alleged end-time signs in Revelation 6 appear inconsistent or out of sequence when compared to other apocalyptic passages in the Bible?
12.If the Bible was meant to be understood by all, why is it written in complex, often ambiguous language?
13.What are the signs of saving faith?
14.What defines Hyper-Calvinism?What Does Luke 24:45 Mean
Then• Luke links this moment to everything that has just happened—Christ’s resurrection appearances, the disciples’ confusion, and their dawning realization (Luke 24:36-44).
• “Then” shows divine timing: God acts at the precise moment hearts are ready, as seen inActs 16:14 when “the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”
• It reminds us that revelation follows God’s initiative, echoingProverbs 3:5-6 where He “will make your paths straight.”
He• The subject is Jesus Himself—the risen Lord personally taking charge of His followers’ understanding (John 20:19-20).
• His involvement fulfills the promise ofJohn 14:26: “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things.”
• Christ’s authority over Scripture interpretation is underscored inMatthew 7:29, where He taught “as one who had authority.”
opened• This is an action only God can perform; human reasoning alone falls short (1 Corinthians 2:14).
• Similar divine opening appears inPsalm 119:18, “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.”
• The verb signals a permanent, not temporary, change—a doorway flung wide so truth can flood in (2 Corinthians 4:6).
their minds• Jesus targets the seat of understanding, not merely emotions (Romans 12:2).
• He addresses collective comprehension; revelation builds unity among believers (Ephesians 4:11-13).
• The disciples move from fear to clarity, paralleling2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”
to understand• The goal is comprehension that leads to conviction and action (James 1:22-25).
• True understanding bridges Old Testament promises with New Testament fulfillment, as Jesus shows inLuke 24:27.
• Spiritual insight equips for witness;Acts 1:8 follows soon after, promising power “to be My witnesses.”
the Scriptures• Jesus affirms the full trustworthiness of the written Word, just as He did inMatthew 5:17-18.
• “The Scriptures” at this point refer to the Law, Prophets, and Writings; all point to Christ (John 5:39).
• The disciples will soon preach from these same texts (Acts 2:14-36), proving that Scripture is both foundation and fuel for ministry.
summaryLuke 24:45 shows Jesus taking the initiative to give His followers clear, Spirit-enabled insight into God’s written Word. At the divinely appointed moment, the risen Christ personally unlocks their understanding so they can see Him as the fulfillment of every promise and proclaim that truth with confidence.
(45)
Then opened he their understanding.--Assuming, as we must assume, that this was the same meeting of the Lord with His disciples as that reported in
John 20:22, we have here that which corresponds with the gift of the Holy Spirit He then imparted to them. They were conscious of a new spiritual power of insight and knowledge which they had not possessed before. St. Luke's report, as derived probably at
second or third hand, through Joanna or others, is naturally more vague than that which comes from the eye-witness.
Verse 45. -
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. Assuming (as is most probably the case) that vers. 44 and 45 refer to words spoken by Jesus on the first Easter evening to the eleven and to Cleopas and his friend, then
the way in which he opened their understanding is described by St. John (
John 20:22) thus: "He breathed on
them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." Among the new powers bestowed on them by this Divine gift, St. Luke especially dwells on the spiritual insight henceforth possessed by these men into the Scriptures of the Old Testament, hitherto only partly understood. This power was doubtless one of the great instruments of their success as preachers. In the next four verses (46-49) St. Luke evidently briefly summarizes the Master's great sayings, some probably spoken in the course of the walk to Emmaus, some on that first Easter evening, some on other occasions during the forty days which elapsed between the Resurrection and the Ascension. The introductory words, "and said unto them" (ver. 46), seem the commencement cf. this summary,
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Thenτότε(tote)Adverb
Strong's 5119:Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.He openedδιήνοιξεν(diēnoixen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1272:To open fully. From dia and anoigo; to open thoroughly, literally or figuratively.theirαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.mindsνοῦν(noun)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563:Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.to understandσυνιέναι(synienai)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4920:To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously.theτὰς(tas)Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Scriptures.γραφάς(graphas)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1124:(a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.
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NT Gospels: Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds that they (Luke Lu Lk) 
