Luke 24:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

NIV: "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.

NASB: And He said to them, 'What sort of things?' And they said to Him, 'Those about Jesus the Nazarene, who proved to be a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,

CSB: "What things?" he asked them. So they said to him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people,

NLT: What things?' Jesus asked. 'The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,' they said. 'He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people.

KJV: And he said unto them, What things And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

NKJV: And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

Cleopas has been walking with a friend from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about seven miles away. They're talking about Jesus: how they thought He was the Messiah, but the Jewish leaders had Him killed. Then, that morning, the women disciples claimed that angels told them Jesus had risen from the grave. When Peter and John went to check, the tomb was empty (Luke 24:20–24).

While they talk, Jesus has come in next to them; His identity is hidden from them. He asks what they're discussing. Cleopas, who is apparently a vibrant storyteller, asks with incredulity if Jesus is the only visitor to Jerusalem who has not heard "the things that have happened there in these days" (Luke 24:18). Jesus takes the invitation and asks, "What things?"

As Cleopas tells Jesus His own story, he reveals who he thinks Jesus is. Because He is a prophet, Christ's words are mighty and verified by miraculous works. Cleopas and his associates had thought Jesus was "the one to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). They thought He was the Messiah and that He was going to free the Jews from the Romans.

Cleopas doesn't realize Jesus came to redeem Israel, but also the whole world—not from oppressive regimes, but from their sin. To do this, Jesus had to die. But because He died, He rose again. Neither do either of the men walking to Emmaus recognize Jesus; they don't believe the witness of the women and they don't believe the prophets (Luke 24:10–11, 22–23, 25). Still, Jesus graciously leads them to tell their story so He can fill in the gaps. When they finally recognize Jesus, they rush back to the disciples in Jerusalem with a new story to tell (Luke 24:30–35).

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.