One of the most incredible moments in the Bible happens quietly, just hours after Jesus rose from the dead. Two discouraged disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, confused and heartbroken by the events of the crucifixion. A “stranger” joins them, listens to their grief, and then begins to speak.
That stranger was Jesus Himself.
And what He did next was unforgettable:
“Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27, NLT)
Can you imagine being part of that Bible study? Jesus—fresh from the grave—personally walking through Scripture and showing how every page points to Him. No wonder their hearts burned within them (Luke 24:32)!
While we don’t get a full transcript of that conversation, we do know the Scriptures Jesus would’ve had available—the Old Testament. Let’s explore some of the likely passages Jesus highlighted in His personal Bible study.
What Jesus Might Have Shared: Key Old Testament Highlights
From the Writings of Moses (Genesis–Deuteronomy)
- Genesis 3:15 – The First Promise
The seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. Right at the beginning, God hints at the coming Messiah—Jesus. - Genesis 22 – Abraham and Isaac
Abraham is willing to sacrifice his only son, but God provides a substitute. A foreshadowing of God giving His Son for us. - Exodus 12 – The Passover Lamb
The blood of the lamb saved Israel from judgment. Jesus is our perfect Passover Lamb. - Leviticus 16 – Day of Atonement
The high priest offers sacrifices for the people’s sins. Jesus became our once-for-all sacrifice and our eternal High Priest. - Numbers 21 – The Bronze Serpent
Moses lifts up a serpent to heal the people. Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent… so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” (John 3:14) - Deuteronomy 18:15 – A Prophet Like Moses
Moses foretold that God would send a prophet like him—Jesus fulfilled that role perfectly.
From the Psalms and Prophets
- Psalm 22 – The Crucified One
Written 1,000 years before Jesus, it describes in detail the crucifixion: pierced hands and feet, mocking, casting lots for clothing. - Isaiah 7:14 – Born of a Virgin
The virgin will conceive and bear a son—Immanuel, “God with us.” - Isaiah 9:6–7 – The Coming King
A child is born… and His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 53 – The Suffering Servant
“He was pierced for our transgressions…” This is one of the clearest prophetic pictures of Jesus in the entire Bible. - Daniel 7:13–14 – The Son of Man
Jesus often used this title for Himself. Daniel saw Him coming with the clouds and receiving eternal authority. - Zechariah 12:10 – The Pierced One
“They will look on Me, the one they have pierced…” A prophecy that looks forward to the crucified and returning Messiah.
Why This Matters
Jesus didn’t just quote a few verses. He gave His disciples a framework—a lens through which to view all of Scripture.
He showed that:
- The Bible is not just a collection of disconnected stories—it’s a unified narrative.
- From beginning to end, the story centers on Him.
- Our faith is rooted not just in experience, but in fulfilled promises and historical truth.
Whether you’re new to reading the Bible, a worship leader seeking depth, or someone walking through doubt like those Emmaus disciples, this truth remains: Jesus meets us in the Word.
Closing Thought
Those two disciples started the walk full of confusion and sadness. But after hearing Jesus teach, they said:
“Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
My prayer for you is the same: that your heart would burn again as you see Jesus in the pages of Scripture. Ask Him to open your eyes. The same Savior who taught on that road wants to walk with you today.
