But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 21. We hoped, and so forth as if they had lost their former hopes, or now knew not what to hope for: but perhaps, as Saint Augustine observes, they might use this caution speaking before a stranger. Witham.—These two disciples were in the same error as the other Jews; who expected that the Messias would deliver them from subjection to strangers, and re-establish them in their ancient liberty. The cross and passion had been a subject of scandal and fall to them. They say, we did hope; as if their hopes were now at an end. What increased their diffidence was, that Christ had promised to rise again the third day, and some of the women had said that he really had risen. But they expected as public and glorious a manifestation of his resurrection, as his death had been ignominious and known to the whole world. Behold, now this is already the third day since these things are passed: if he had wished to manifest his power, he should have done it already. Thus the disciples reason, as if the third day were already past, and as if it were certain that he was not risen again. So difficult a thing is it to believe what we very ardently wish! Calmet.
Proprium hoc miseros sequitur vitum
Nunquam rebus credere lætis.