Luke 24:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,

NIV: As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.

NASB: And they approached the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther.

CSB: They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther.

NLT: By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on,

KJV: And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

NKJV: Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.

Cleopas and his friend have reached Emmaus. Over the course of their walk, they discussed what they've witnessed the last three days. They told Jesus' story to a fellow traveler whom they don't realize is Jesus and heard Jesus frame that story within Old Testament prophecy.

Now, they've reached the place where they're staying, perhaps an inn. The men invite Jesus to join them. He agrees, and when dinner is served, He takes the lead, taking the bread, blessing it, and passing out broken pieces (Luke 24:29–30).

It's at that point they realize who He is. It's impossible to say how many meals they've shared with Him—how many times they've seen His hands break bread and heard Him pray a blessing over it. As soon as they realize whom they've been walking with, Jesus disappears (Luke 24:31).

Jesus acts as if He's continuing His journey. We can't make too many moral judgments on cultures we don't understand. Within the culture, Jesus is not trying to deceive the men. He's not being passive-aggressive. He is acting according to the culture. It would be rude for Him to ask or assume He could eat with the men. To host someone is to take that person under your protection. When the men don't offer right away, Jesus gives them the opportunity to invite Him to stay. The Middle Eastern culture of hospitality demands that they do. Likely, their curiosity makes the decision an easy one.

Luke 24:28–35 describes how the two men traveling to Emmaus finally recognize Jesus. They had been discussing Jesus' death when Jesus, keeping His identity hidden, asked what they were talking about. They told Him, and He explained how the events fit with the Old Testament, both the Torah and the Prophets (Luke 24:13–27). When they invite Him to eat, He breaks the bread and they realize it's Him. Jesus disappears and the two return to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. It turns out, Peter has seen Jesus, too. Only Luke authentically records the interaction between Jesus and the two disciples.

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.