Luk 24:27, Act 17:3, 19:8 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 27. Beginning at Moses . At the writings of Moses, or at the beginning of the Old Testament; or rather the word beginning should be separated from what follows, denoting simply that he commenced his discourse, and not that he began at the prophets as well as at Moses; thus, "And commencing his discourse, or replying to them, he expounded from Moses and the prophets," &c. All the prophets . The books of the Old Testament generally. He expounded . He explained or interpreted it to them. Probably he showed them that their notions of the Messiah were not according to the Scriptures. They expected a temporal prince; they were perplexed because Jesus had not assumed the regal power, but had been put to death. He showed them that according to the prophecies he ought to suffer, and that his death, therefore, was no argument that he was not the Messiah. In all the scriptures . In all the writings of the Old Testament. They were called scriptures because they were written, the art of printing being then unknown. The things concerning himself . Concerning the Messiah. It does not appear that he applied them to himself, but left them, probably, to make the application. He showed what the Scriptures foretold, and they saw that these things applied to Jesus of Nazareth, and began to be satisfied that he was the Messiah. The most striking passages foretelling the character and sufferings of Christ are the following, which we may suppose it possible our Saviour dwelt upon to convince them that, though he was crucified, yet he was the Christ: ; (u) "Moses" (v) "the prophets"

Luke 24:27

Verse 27. Beginning at Moses. At the writings of Moses, or at the beginning of the Old Testament; or rather the word beginning should be separated from what follows, denoting simply that he commenced his discourse, and not that he began at the prophets as well as at Moses; thus, "And commencing his discourse, or replying to them, he expounded from Moses and the prophets," &c.

All the prophets. The books of the Old Testament generally.

He expounded. He explained or interpreted it to them. Probably he showed them that their notions of the Messiah were not according to the Scriptures. They expected a temporal prince; they were perplexed because Jesus had not assumed the regal power, but had been put to death. He showed them that according to the prophecies he ought to suffer, and that his death, therefore, was no argument that he was not the Messiah.

In all the scriptures. In all the writings of the Old Testament. They were called scriptures because they were written, the art of printing being then unknown.

The things concerning himself. Concerning the Messiah. It does not appear that he applied them to himself, but left them, probably, to make the application. He showed what the Scriptures foretold, and they saw that these things applied to Jesus of Nazareth, and began to be satisfied that he was the Messiah. The most striking passages foretelling the character and sufferings of Christ are the following, which we may suppose it possible our Saviour dwelt upon to convince them that, though he was crucified, yet he was the Christ: Gen 3:15, De 18:15, Gen 49:10, Nu 21:8-9, Is 53:1-12, Dan 9:25-27; Is 9:6,7, Ps 110:1-7, Ps 16:1-11, Ps 22:1-31, Mal 4:2-6

(u) "Moses" Lk 24:44, Acts 3:22 (v) "the prophets" Acts 10:43, 26:22

Acts 17:3

Verse 3. Opening. διανοιγων. See Lk 24:32. The word means, to explain, or to unfold. It is usually applied to that which is shut, as to the eyes, etc. Then it means to explain that which is concealed or obscure. It means here, that he explained the Scriptures in their true sense.

And alleging. παρατιθεμενος. Laying down the proposition; that is, maintaining that it must be so.

That Christ must needs have suffered. That there was a fitness and necessity in his dying, as Jesus of Nazareth had done. The sense of this will be better seen by retaining the word Messiah. "That there was a fitness or necessity that the Messiah expected by the Jews, and predicted in their Scriptures, should suffer." This point the Jews were unwilling to admit; but it was essential to his argument in proving that Jesus was the Messiah, to show that it was foretold that he should die for the sins of men. On the necessity of this, Lk 4:26.

Have suffered. That he should die.

And that this Jesus. And that this Jesus of Nazareth, who has thus suffered and risen, whom, said he, I preach to you, is the Messiah.

The arguments by which Paul probably proved that Jesus was the Messiah were,

(1.) that he corresponded with the prophecies respecting him, in the following particulars: (a.) He was born at Bethlehem, Mic 5.2

(b.) He was of the tribe of Judah, Gen 49:10

(c.) He was descended from Jesse, and of the royal line of David,

Isa 11:1,10

(d.) He came at the time predicted Dan 9:24-27

(e.) His appearance, character, work, etc., corresponded with the

predictions of Isa 53.

(2.) His miracles proved that he was the Messiah, for he professed to be, and God would not work a miracle to confirm the claims of an impostor.

(3.) For the same reason, his resurrection from the dead proved that he was the Messiah.

(&) "Opening and alleging" "Explaining them" (e) "needs have suffered" Lk 24:26,46, Acts 18:28, Gal 3:1 (1) "whom I preach" "whom, said he, I preach"

Acts 19:8

Verse 8. Persuading the things. Endeavouring to persuade them of the truth of what was affirmed respecting the kingdom of God.

(n) "disputing" Acts 18:19 (**) "persuading" "discoursing and stating" (o) "the things concerning" Acts 28:23