24:21a–b
But we: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But we refers to the two disciples in contrast to their leaders. This phrase is emphatic. Show this emphasis and contrast in a way that is natural in your language.
The pronoun we does not include the one to whom they were speaking (Jesus). The two disciples thought that he was a stranger who did not know anything about Jesus.
we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel: This statement indicates that before Jesus died the two disciples hoped that he would redeem Israel. In the Old Testament God promised through his prophets that he would send a Messiah to redeem his people Israel. In Jesus’ lifetime the people of Israel expected the Messiah to free them from being ruled by the Romans.
Other ways to translate this statement are:
We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
We had hoped that he would be the one to set Israel free! (Contemporary English Version)
In some languages it may be necessary to add implied information. For example:
the One ⌊whom God had promised to send⌋ to redeem/rescue ⌊his people⌋ Israel
would: In this context the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as would means “was about to.” The disciples were expecting that Jesus would soon redeem Israel.
redeem Israel: The word redeem in this context means “to set free, deliver.” In this context it implies that the people of Israel expected a deliverer (redeemer), who would free them from their enemies. Some ways to translate the phrase redeem Israel here are:
rescue Israel (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
to set the descendants/people of Israel free
redeem: The word “redeemed” occurred in 1:68. See how you translated it there.
Israel: In this context the word Israel refers to the descendants of the Israel (who was also named Jacob). The two disciples themselves were descendants of Israel. Although they did not recognize Jesus, they assumed that he also was a Jew (a descendant of Israel). In some languages it may be necessary to indicate that the speakers and hearer were also Israelites. For example:
us the descendants of Israel
24:21c
And besides all this: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And besides all this is emphatic. It introduces another fact that disturbed the two disciples in addition to all the facts in 24:20–21b. It implies that the final fact is like a climax to the list. It also implies that all these disturbing facts contrasted with the hope that the disciples expressed in 24:21a–b. Introduce 24:21c in a natural way in your language. Some other ways to translate this phrase in English are:
and that is not all
-or-
And what is more (New International Version)
-or-
however
-or-
Not only this, but (NET Bible)
it is the third day since these things took place:
This clause indicates that Jesus was condemned and crucified three days before. The disciples implied that because this amount of time had passed, the situation was more hopeless. Some ways to translate the clause are:
this is now the third day since it happened (Good News Translation)
-or-
it has already been three days since this happened
-or-
this happened three days ago
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