The Mysterious Stranger

A Time of Contemplation

Luke 24:13–15 (KJV 1900)

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Luke 24:13–32

As they walked, they conversed about the recent events and discussed what they might mean. They did the best they could with the limited knowledge they had, but they lacked the key that would unlock the prophetic Scriptures: the Messiah must suffer and die before He could enter into His glory. It was this key that Jesus provided as He walked and talked with them on the road.

A Time of Confusion

Luke 24:16–19 (KJV 1900)

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

Luke 24:20–22 (KJV 1900)

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

Luke 24:23–24 (KJV 1900)

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Luke 24:13–32

These two men were “slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” (v. 25, paraphrase mine). They believed the promises about Messiah’s glory, but they could not accept the prophecies about His suffering (1 Peter 1:8–12).

A Time of Confirmation

Luke 24:25–27 (KJV 1900)

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Word Pictures in the New Testament Luke 24:27

Luke 24:27

Interpreted (διηρμηνευσεν [diērmēneusen]). First aorist active (constative aorist) indicative of διερμηνευω [diermēneuō] (Margin has the imperfect διηρμηνευεν [diērmēneuen]), intensive compound (δια [dia]) of ἑρμηνευω [hermēneuō], the old verb to interpret from ἑρμηνευς [hermēneus], interpreter, and that from ἑρμης [Hermēs], the messenger of the gods as the people of Lystra took Paul to be (Acts 14:12). But what wonderful exegesis the two disciples were now hearing! Concerning himself (περι ἑαυτον [peri heauton]). Jesus found himself in the Old Testament, a thing that some modern scholars do not seem able to do.

Luke 24:28–29 (KJV 1900)

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

Luke 24:30–31 (KJV 1900)

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (Luke 24:13–35)

How we know the Resurrection is historical and not an invented story:

(1) It presents the first resurrection appearance as happening to two otherwise unknown, non-apostolic Christians, but

(2) it names one of them

(3) The appearance was less than spectacular or immediately convincing

(4) The wealth of detail (such as the location of Emmaus) is not consistent with a story invented to prove the resurrection but is in keeping with an eyewitness account (Lk 1:2).

The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith Matthew 28:17

28:17 All the resurrection narratives record the doubt of some of the characters at one point or another. The early church preserved in its tradition the fact that the apostles were not expecting the resurrection, despite repeated predictions of it by Jesus Himself. This can only be a historical reminiscence, and it corroborates the disciples’ later faith in the resurrection. That is, the actual appearance of the resurrected Jesus best accounts for the historical facts that the disciples initially did not believe Christ had risen and that they later were convinced He had.

JFK and Jesus Illustration

A Time of Celebration

Luke 24:32 (KJV 1900)

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?

A Time of Confidence

Luke 24:33–35 (KJV 1900)

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Word Pictures in the New Testament Luke 24:35

Luke 24:35

Rehearsed (ἐξηγουντο [exēgounto]). Imperfect middle indicative of ἐξηγεομαι [exēgeomai], verb to lead out, to rehearse. Our word exegesis comes from this verb. Their story was now confirmatory, not revolutionary. The women were right then after all. Of them (αὐτοις [autois]). To them, dative case. They did not recognize Jesus in his exegesis, but did in the breaking of bread. One is reminded of that saying in the Logia of Jesus: “Raise the stone and there thou shalt find me, cleave the wood and there am I.”

The Bible Guide Luke 24:13–35

There is a pattern of events. The history of Israel has always moved from despair to hope, from slavery to exodus, from exile to return. Surely the experience of the Messiah will be the same—from death to resurrection. But at Passover? Of course!