Luke 24:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

NIV: Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

NASB: They began to relate their experiences on the road, and how He was recognized by them at the breaking of the bread.

CSB: Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

NLT: Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

KJV: And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

NKJV: And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

The room where the greater number of disciples were staying is abuzz with incredible news: Jesus has risen from the dead! Before the two new arrivals (Luke 24:31–34) can say anything, the disciples enthusiastically tell them Peter has seen the risen Jesus.

The joint news is even more joyous. First, Mary Magdalene and the other women saw Jesus (John 20:14–18; Matthew 28:9–10). Then Peter. Now, Jesus' followers want to hear Cleopas and his friend's story.

They had left after the women's report, thinking it nothing but "an idle tale" (Luke 24:11). While they walked to Emmaus, a stranger joined their conversation. Cleopas told Him how Jesus—the man they thought was the Messiah, come to redeem Israel—had been tortured and crucified. But the women said the tomb was empty and angels told them Jesus had risen (Luke 24:13–24).

The stranger, who had seemed to not know anything about Jesus, then showed them how everything that happened had been prophesied in the Jewish Scriptures (Luke 24:25–27). When the three reached Emmaus, Cleopas and his friend invited the stranger to eat with them. But when the stranger took the bread, blessed it, and gave them pieces, their spiritual blinders came off, and they realized: this is Jesus! Jesus immediately disappeared, and the two men rushed back to Jerusalem (Luke 24:28–33).

Now that they're in Jerusalem, they learn that Peter has seen Jesus, too (Luke 24:34). In moments, the entire group will see Jesus (Luke 24:36).

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.