Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 24:21

"But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass." — Luke 24:21 (ASV)

We trusted. We hoped and expected.

Should have redeemed Israel. That He was the Messiah, who would have delivered the nation from the Romans.

Besides all this. It should be observed that Cleopas states things just as they occurred to his own mind. There is little connection. His mind is confused and distracted.

So many things were remarkable in Jesus, and there was so much evidence that He was the Messiah. Their hopes had been so suddenly dashed by His death, and the succeeding events had been so wonderful, that his mind was confused, and he did not know what to think.

The things that he now stated served to increase his perplexity. The expressions here are perfectly natural, indicating an agitated mind.

These are simple touches of nature that show the book was not forged. If the book had been the work of imposture, this artless and perplexed narrative would not have been thought of.

Today is the third day, and so on. Jesus had foretold them that He would rise on the third day. They did not understand this at the time; however, it is quite probable that they looked to this day expecting something wonderful.

The visit to the sepulchre had likely called His prediction to their recollection, and they grew more and more amazed as they put all these things together. It was as if they were saying:

"The third day has come, and we have not seen Him. Yet
we begin to remember His promise—the angels have
informed us that He is alive—but we do not know
how to put these things together, or what to make
of them."