The Road to Emmaus
Two discouraged disciples walk away from Jerusalem, and a stranger joins them on the road. This free guide gives your group the background, the passage, and questions for one evening together.
Two discouraged disciples meet the risen Jesus on the road. He opens the Scriptures, and they recognize him at the table.
Background
Sixty stadia
A stadion was roughly 185 m, so sixty stadia is about 11 km (7 miles), a walk of two to three hours. A few manuscripts read 160 stadia. The village's exact site is uncertain; candidates include Emmaus-Nicopolis ('Amwas), el-Qubeibeh, and Motza near Jerusalem.
Hospitality at dusk
Urging a stranger to stay as evening came (v. 29) reflects Near Eastern hospitality. Travel after dark was risky, and hosting a traveler was an honored duty. Normally the host, not the guest, blessed and broke the bread. Jesus taking that role is the turn of the story.
“We were hoping”
Many first-century Jews hoped for a Messiah who would free Israel from Rome. A crucified Messiah looked like defeat, which explains the disciples' sadness (vv. 17–21) before Jesus reframes the cross from 'Moses and all the prophets.'
The third day
Their remark that it is 'the third day' (v. 21) echoes Jesus' own predictions (Luke 9:22; 18:33) and sets up the empty-tomb reports they have heard but not believed.
Read it together
13Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. 15While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.Luke 24:13–16 (WEB)
25He said to them, “Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” 27Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.Luke 24:25–27 (WEB)
30When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. 31Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight. 32They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”Luke 24:30–32 (WEB)
Discussion questions
- Cleopas and his companion “were hoping” Jesus would redeem Israel (v. 21). What did they expect the Messiah to do, and why?
- Jesus explains himself, “Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets” (v. 27). Which Old Testament passages might he have used?
- They recognize him at the breaking of bread (vv. 30–31). How does table fellowship shape recognition elsewhere in Luke (e.g. 9:16; 22:19)?
- Why might Luke stress that 'their eyes were kept' from recognizing him (v. 16)?
- “Weren't our hearts burning within us” (v. 32). When has Scripture affected you that way?
- They return to Jerusalem 'that very hour' at night (v. 33). What does their reversal of direction show?
- What does this passage suggest about how we meet Christ today: through Scripture, the table, and community?
Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Study notes are original and checked against Dallas Theological Seminary faculty works.