Luke 24:13–32

Jesus Walks the Road to Emmaus

24:13 Now35 that very day two of them36 were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles37 from Jerusalem.38 24:14 They39 were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 24:15 While40 they were talking and debating41 these things,42 Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them 24:16 (but their eyes were kept43 from recognizing44 him).45 24:17 Then46 he said to them, “What are these matters47 you are discussing so intently48 as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad. 24:18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him,49 “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know50 the things that have happened there51 in these days?” 24:19 He52 said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man53 who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet54 before God and all the people; 24:20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over55 to be condemned to death, and crucified56 him. 24:21 But we had hoped57 that he was the one who was going to redeem58 Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened. 24:22 Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us.59 They60 were at the tomb early this morning, 24:23 and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels,61 who said he was alive. 24:24 Then62 some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”63 24:25 So64 he said to them, “You65 foolish people66—how slow of heart67 to believe68 all that the prophets have spoken! 24:26 Wasn’t69 it necessary70 for the Christ71 to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 24:27 Then72 beginning with Moses and all the prophets,73 he interpreted to them the things written about74 himself in all the scriptures.

24:28 So they approached the village where they were going. He acted as though he wanted to go farther,75 24:29 but they urged him,76 “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So77 he went in to stay with them.

24:30 When78 he had taken his place at the table79 with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it,80 and gave it to them. 24:31 At this point81 their eyes were opened and they recognized82 him.83 Then84 he vanished out of their sight. 24:32 They85 said to each other, “Didn’t86 our hearts87 burn within us88 while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining89 the scriptures to us?”

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35	tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
36	tn These are disciples as they know about the empty tomb and do not know what to make of it all.
37	tn Grk “sixty stades” or about 11 kilometers. A stade (στάδιον, stadion) was a unit of distance about 607 feet (187 meters) long.
38	map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
39	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
40	tn Grk “And it happened that while.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
41	tn This term suggests emotional dialogue and can thus be translated “debated.”
42	tn The phrase “these things” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
43	sn The two disciples will not be allowed to recognize Jesus until v. 31.
44	tn This is an epexegetical (i.e., explanatory) infinitive in Greek.
45	sn This parenthetical remark by the author is necessary so the reader will understand the account.
46	tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
47	tn Grk “words,” but the term λόγος (logos) can refer to “matters” rather than only “words” (BDAG 600 s.v. 1.a.ε).
48	tn “Discussing so intently” translates the reciprocal idea conveyed by πρὸς ἀλλήλους (pros allēlous). The term ἀντιβάλλω (antiballō), used only here in the NT, has the nuance of “arguing” or “debating” a point (the English idiom “to exchange words” also comes close).
49	tn Grk “answering him, said.” This is redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.
50	sn There is irony and almost a sense of mocking disbelief as the question “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?” comes to Jesus; but, of course, the readers know what the travelers do not.
51	tn Grk “in it” (referring to the city of Jerusalem).
52	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
53	tn This translates the Greek term ἀνήρ (anēr).
54	sn The role of Jesus as prophet is a function Luke frequently mentions: 4:25–27; 9:35; 13:31–35.
55	sn Handed him over is another summary of the passion like Luke 9:22.
56	sn See the note on crucify in 23:21.
57	tn The imperfect verb looks back to the view that they held during Jesus’ past ministry.
58	sn Their messianic hope concerning Jesus is expressed by the phrase who was going to redeem Israel.
59	sn The account in 24:1–12 is repeated here, and it is clear that the other disciples were not convinced by the women, but could not explain the events either.
60	tn In the Greek text this is a continuation of the previous sentence, but because of the length and complexity of the construction a new sentence was started here in the translation.
61	sn The men in dazzling attire mentioned in v. 4 are identified as angels here.
62	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
63	tn Here the pronoun αὐτόν (auton), referring to Jesus, is in an emphatic position. The one thing they lacked was solid evidence that he was alive.
64	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the disciples’ inability to believe in Jesus’ resurrection.
65	tn Grk “O,” an interjection used both in address and emotion (BDAG 1101 s.v. 1).
66	tn The word “people” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied to complete the interjection.
67	sn The rebuke is for failure to believe the promise of scripture, a theme that will appear in vv. 43–47 as well.
68	tn On the syntax of this infinitival construction, see BDAG 364–65 s.v. ἐπί 6.b.
69	tn This Greek particle (οὐχί, ouchi) expects a positive reply.
70	sn The statement Wasn’t it necessary is a reference to the design of God’s plan (see Luke 24:7). Suffering must precede glory (see Luke 17:25).
71	tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.” sn See the note on Christ in 2:11.
72	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
73	sn The reference to Moses and all the prophets is a way to say the promise of Messiah runs throughout OT scripture from first to last.
74	tn Or “regarding,” “concerning.” “Written” is implied by the mention of the scriptures in context; “said” could also be used here, referring to the original utterances, but by now these things had been committed to writing.
75	sn He acted as though he wanted to go farther. This is written in a way that gives the impression Jesus knew they would ask him to stay.
76	tn Grk “urged him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes, “saying”) has not been translated because it is redundant in contemporary English.
77	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the disciples’ request.
78	tn Grk “And it happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
79	tn Grk “had reclined at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
80	tn The pronoun “it” is not in the Greek text here or in the following clause, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
81	tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “At this point” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. “Then,” which is normally used to indicate this, would be redundant with the following clause.
82	sn They recognized him. Other than this cryptic remark, it is not told how the two disciples were now able to recognize Jesus.
83	tn This pronoun is somewhat emphatic.
84	tn This translates a καί (kai, “and”) that has clear sequential force.
85	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
86	tn This question uses a Greek particle (οὐχί, ouchi) that expects a positive reply.
87	tn This is a collective singular use of the term καρδία (kardia), so each of their hearts were burning, a reference itself to the intense emotion of their response.
88	tc ‡ Most mss have the phrase ἐν ἡμῖν (en hēmin, “within us”) after οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν (ouchi hē kardia hēmōn kaiomenē ēn, “Didn’t our hearts burn”). The phrase “within us” is lacking in some early mss (𝔓75 B D c e sys,c). These early witnesses could have overlooked the words, since there are several occurrences of ἡμῖν in the context. But it seems likely that other scribes wanted to clarify the abrupt expression “Didn’t our hearts burn,” even as the translation has done here. NA 27 includes the words in brackets, indicating doubts as to their authenticity. sn Even though it is most likely not original (see tc note above), the phrase within us has been included in the translation for clarity.
89	tn Grk “opening” (cf. Acts 17:3).

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