Luke 24:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

NIV: As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;

NASB: While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.

CSB: And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them.

NLT: As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them.

KJV: And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

NKJV: So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.

Two men, disciples of Jesus, are leaving Jerusalem the day after the Sabbath. They're headed to Emmaus, seven miles, or about eleven kilometers, away. As they walk, they discuss what they've experienced the last few days.

About a week and a half ago, Jesus had ridden a donkey into Jerusalem while the crowd shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark 11:1–10). Surely, they had thought, this was the beginning of Israeli independence. Jesus had talked about the coming kingdom of God for years. He must have been preparing to expel the Romans and free the Jews.

But then, three days ago, He died. The Jewish leaders blackmailed the Roman governor into crucifying Him (John 19:12–16). How could the heir of David, God's Messiah, be dead?

And yet, that morning, some of Jesus' women disciples went to his tomb and found it empty. They claim they met angels who told them Jesus had risen from the dead. Peter and John even checked, and the body was gone. What is going on? (Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–10).

As Cleopas and his friend talk, they have no idea Jesus is near them, listening. He approaches but doesn't reveal His identity. He just casually asks, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" (Luke 24:16–17). For the rest of the travel, they will tell Jesus about Himself, listen to Him frame their experience within the Jewish Scriptures, and invite Him to eat, but they still won't recognize Him. It won't be until He breaks the bread and gives thanks to God that they'll realize: the women were right. Jesus is alive (Luke 24:18–31).

On this day, Jesus appears to the women (Matthew 28:9–10; John 20:15–18), Peter (Luke 24:34), and the group of disciples hiding in a locked room (Luke 24:36–43). It's reasonable to ask why Jesus appears to Cleopas and his companion. The angels and Jesus told the women to instruct the men to meet Jesus in Galilee (Matthew 28:7, 10). The men responded by staying in Jerusalem. These two are going to another town in Judea. It almost looks like Jesus is herding them back to the group. If they're not going to obey the instructions to go to Galilee, they should at least stay together.

Luke 24:13–27 contains a meeting between Jesus and two disciples, along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They don't recognize Him. Yet He lets them explain what they've experienced the last three days. When they finish, He points out their foolishness and shows them how the crucifixion and resurrection were prophesied in the Old Testament. When they invite Jesus for a meal, He reveals Himself and disappears. The two men return to Jerusalem to tell the larger group of disciples (Luke 24:28–35). Mark 16:12–13 gives a synopsis, but are likely not part of the original manuscript of Mark.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.