13 And behold, two of them were going on the same day to a village distant sixty stadia from Jerusalem, called Emmaus; 14 and they conversed with one another about all these things which had taken place. 15 And it came to pass as they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus himself drawing nigh, went with them; 16 but their eyes were holden so as not to know him. 17 And he said to them, What discourses are these which pass between you as ye walk, and are downcast? 18 And one [of them], named Cleopas, answering said to him, Thou sojournest alone in Jerusalem, and dost not know what has taken place in it in these days? 19 And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazaraean, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to [the] judgment of death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was [the one] who is about to redeem Israel. But then, besides all these things, it is now, to-day, the third day since these things took place. 22 And withal, certain women from amongst us astonished us, having been very early at the sepulchre, 23 and, not having found his body, came, saying that they also had seen a vision of angels, who say that he is living. 24 And some of those with us went to the sepulchre, and found it so, as the women also had said, but him they saw not. 25 And he said to them, O senseless and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory? 27 And having begun from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he made as though he would go farther. 29 And they constrained him, saying, Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is declining. And he entered in to stay with them. 30 And it came to pass as he was at table with them, having taken the bread, he blessed, and having broken it, gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he disappeared from them. 32 And they said to one another, Was not our heart burning in us as he spoke to us on the way, [and] as he opened the scriptures to us? 33 And rising up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven, and those with them, gathered together, 34 saying, The Lord is indeed risen and has appeared to Simon. 35 And they related what [had happened] on the way, and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 24:13-35
Commentary on Luke 24:13-27
(Read Luke 24:13-27)
This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have. No matter how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering it, that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though Christ is entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as far as they are made known in the Scriptures, we should not be subject to the perplexities we often entangle ourselves in. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself. There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, which it is of great advantage to put together. We cannot go far in any part, but we meet with something that has reference to Christ, some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to know the mystery concerning himself, not by advancing new notions, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled, and turning them to the earnest study of it.
Commentary on Luke 24:28-35
(Read Luke 24:28-35)
If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with him, cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection, with the same manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. They had found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them to each other.