Luke 24:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.

NIV: He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.

NASB: And He said to them, 'What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?' And they came to a stop, looking sad.

CSB: Then he asked them, "What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?" And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

NLT: He asked them, 'What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?' They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.

KJV: And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad

NKJV: And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

Jesus has come across two of the larger group of His disciples who are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, another town in Judea. They're talking about Him: how they believed He was the Messiah, but then the Jewish leaders had Him crucified. That morning, the women disciples said His tomb was empty and angels told them He had risen from the dead. Jesus approaches, but His identity is hidden from the disciples (Luke 24:13–24).

In this encounter, Jesus uses a common teaching method: He asks a question to which He already knows the answer. The first time God used this tactic was after Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit. They had hidden from Him, both behind a rough attempt at clothing and behind the bushes or hills of the garden of Eden. "Where are you?" God asked. He allowed them to tell Him their story, to reveal to themselves what they thought was going on, so He could explain the truth (Genesis 3).

Jesus used this earlier in His ministry. While walking through a dense crowd, He stopped and said, "Who was it that touched me?" (Luke 8:45). By doing so, He stopped the crowd and redirected their attention to the poor woman who had grasped the edge of His cloak, knowing it would heal her. The crowd learned not only of the healing, but that this woman was finally clean thanks to her faith (Luke 8:43–48).

In the same way, Jesus asks Cleopas and his friend what they are talking about, knowing full well they are talking about Him. By allowing them to speak, Jesus is giving them the chance to organize their thoughts and direct their attention to Jesus' chosen topic. When they are finished, He reframes and fills the gaps in their understanding. They know what happened, but they have completely neglected to compare what has happened to what they know in the writings of Moses and the Prophets. Once they can do that, everything will make sense (Luke 24:18–27).

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.