Luke 24:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

NIV: They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

NASB: They said to one another, 'Were our hearts not burning within us when He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?'

CSB: They said to each other, "Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?"

NLT: They said to each other, 'Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?'

KJV: And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

NKJV: And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

When Cleopas and his friend had decided to leave the confusion of Jerusalem and walk to Emmaus, they naturally discussed what they had just experienced. How could Jesus have died if He is the Christ? What does it mean that His tomb is empty? Did the women really hear an angel say that Jesus had risen from the dead or were they hallucinating? When a traveler met them and asked what they were talking about, they started from the beginning (Luke 24:13–24).

Now, they know. The traveler was Jesus. Jesus has risen from the dead. Now they know how the Old Testament spoke about everything Jesus suffered. They understand that the Christ had to die. Their eyes are opened to the truth (Luke 24:25–31). Naturally, they discuss this new information. They frame what they experienced in the context of what they know. It seems an obvious thing to do, but it's also an important part of Christian community. We need to talk with other believers about what we've seen and heard and frame those experiences within the context of what the Bible—and life—have taught us about Jesus (Ephesians 4:11–16; 5:19–21; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21; 2 Timothy 2:2, 15, 22–26; 3:16–17; Hebrews 10:19–25).

The two men know that they can't keep this to themselves. They need to share it with a wider group of witnesses. So, despite the late hour, they make the trek back to Jerusalem, to the room where the disciples are hiding. They barely walk through the door when they find their story corroborated: Peter has seen Jesus, too (Luke 24:33–34).

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.