Luke 24:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.

NIV: But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

NASB: And so they strongly urged Him, saying, 'Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.' So He went in to stay with them.

CSB: But they urged him, "Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

NLT: but they begged him, 'Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.' So he went home with them.

KJV: But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

NKJV: But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

Two men, Cleopas and a friend, have had an intense day. In the morning, they were hiding in a room with other disciples, trying to make sense of the fact their teacher—whom they believed to be the Christ—was dead. The women disciples, who had gone to the tomb at dawn, came to the others and told the men that Jesus' tomb is empty and angels told them He had risen. When Peter and John went to investigate, they corroborated the empty grave (Luke 24:1–12, 19–23).

The two men decided to leave Jerusalem, going to Emmaus, seven miles away. By the end of their walk, they had met another traveler and told Him of their experience. The traveler called them "foolish" and "slow of heart" (Luke 24:25). He then compared the story of their rabbi to the prophecies in the Jewish Scriptures (Luke 24:25–27).

Cleopas and his companion have reached Emmaus. It's getting late and traveling in the dark is dangerous. Hospitality dictates that they invite the man to join them for the night. Most likely, they also want to hear more.

The man agrees. He even assumes the position of host at the meal, praying over the bread, breaking it, and passing out the pieces. Cleopas and his friend come to a startling revelation. The traveler is not a stranger, He's Jesus. The women were right: He has risen from the dead (Luke 24:30–31).

John's writings expand on the themes in this verse. "Stay" is from the Greek root word meno. Elsewhere, it is translated "abide," a strong theme in 1 John. It is by abiding in Christ—keeping His word—that we know Him (1 John 2:2–6). We abide by drawing nourishment and strength from Him, like the branches do a vine (John 15:4–7). Like the two men, we do this when we take advantage of Jesus' nearness and invite Him to stay (Revelation 3:20).

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.