SPECIAL TOPIC: A SUFFERING MESSIAH
Suffering was the aspect of the Messiah's ministry that the Jews missed (cf. Gen. 3:15; Psalm 22; Isa. 52:13-53:12; Zechariah 9-14). In Jewish thought the Messiah (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH) was seen as a descendant of David, a militaristic champion of Israel. But He would also be a priest, as in Psalm 110 and Zechariah 3-4 (also note Hebrew's focus on Jesus' superior priesthood). This dual nature is reflected in the Dead Sea Scroll community's expectation of two Messiahs, one royal (from Judah) and one priestly (from Levi). This dynamic leadership role expectation seemed totally separate from a suffering, dying Messiah.
Jesus tried several times to inform the disciples about His prophesied suffering (cf. Matt. 8:31; 9:12,30-31; 10:33-34), but they could not understand (cf. Matt. 8:32-33; 9:32-34; 10:35-37). See SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN.
It seems that Luke 24:25-27, 44-49, document that Jesus fully revealed the prophetic purpose of His suffering and death. Jesus Himself opened the understanding of the two on the road to Emmaus and they, in turn, opened the understanding of those gathered in the upper room.
This emphasis on the coming of the Kingdom of God was preached to Jews and Gentiles (cf. Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31). The Kingdom had come in Jesus! This Kingdom is called "the whole purpose/counsel of God." These early witnesses (i.e., 120 in the upper room) needed to understand how Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection perfectly fit the OT prophecies and promises.
A suffering Messiah was so foreign to Jewish traditons and mentality (i.e., Luke 24:44-49).
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