John Lightfoot on Luke 24:21

[We trusted, &c.] "We trusted it had been he that should have redeemed Israel": viz., in the sense that that nation had of a redemption, which they hoped for from the Gentile yoke. But the poverty and meanness of Jesus gave them no ground to hope that any such thing should be brought about by arms, as that people had generally dreamed; they hoped, however, it might have been miraculously accomplished, as their first redemption from Egypt had been.

[Today is the third day, &c.] It is worthy our observation what notice the Rabbins take of the third day: "Abraham lifted up his eyes the third day, Genesis 22:4. It is written, After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight, Hosea 6:2. It is written, concerning the third day of the tribes, Joseph said unto them, The third day, Genesis 42:18. Concerning the third day also of the spies: Hide yourselves there three days, Joshua 2:16. And it is said of the third day of the promulgation of the law, And it came to pass on the third day, Exodus 19:16. It is written also of the third day of Jonas, Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, Jonah 1:17. It is written also of the third day of those that came up out of the captivity. And there abode we in tents three days, Ezra 8:15. It is written also of the third day of the resurrection from the dead, After two days will he revive us, and the third day he will raise us up. It is written also of the third day of Esther, And on the third day Esther put on her royal apparel, Esther 5:1. The Targumist adds, On the third day of the Passover." And that indeed is the day we are at present concerned in, namely, the third day of the Passover. If these things were taken so much notice of concerning the third day, at that time, in the schools and synagogues, (as I see no reason why it should be denied), then these words of Cleopas may seem to look a little that way, as speaking according to the vulgar conceptions of the Jews. For whereas it had been plain enough to have said, today is the third day, but he further adds, beside all this, and the word this, too; there seems a peculiar force in that addition, and an emphasis in that word. As if the meaning of it were this: "That same Jesus was mighty in word and deed, and shewed himself such a one, that we conceived him the true Messiah, and him that was to redeem Israel: and besides all these things which bear witness for him to be such, this very day bears witness also. For whereas there is so great an observation amongst us concerning the third day, this is the third day since he was crucified; and there are some women amongst us, that say they have been told by angels that he is risen again."