17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.” (Luke 24:17–21 (ESV)
All four Gospels parallel each other concerning the events on Resurrection Sunday. The Holy Spirit specifically inspired one of two of the writers to provide particular information not found in the other Gospels. While each writer provides selective, insightful information, they do not contradict each other in telling the wonderful news that Jesus Christ is alive. Such is the case with today’s text from Luke regarding Jesus’ appearance to the so-called Emmaus Disciples.
Continuing our study concerning the Emmaus Disciples and their encounter with Jesus, the Lord engaged the men in conversation as they walked together. He asked them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” Jesus’ question was designed to elicit a response beyond a yes or no answer. Luke adds the following comment about the disciples: “They stood still, looking sad.”
“The unrecognized “intruder” now asked them a question. During His public ministry Jesus had often used this method of approach (6:3, 9; 8:30; 9:18; 18:40, 41; 20:3, 4, 41–44; 22:35, etc.). He did not ask because He lacked knowledge. He asked to arouse interest, so that He would have an opportunity to explain what those questioned needed to know,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
One of the disciples, Clopas, answered, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” The tone of Clopas’ response to the Lord contained a degree of incredulity, disbelief and amazement. He cannot fathom how anyone could be ignorant of Jesus’ crucifixion. How ironic Clopas is unaware the very person he speaks about is the one to whom he is speaking.
“When the two men heard this question, they stood still, as if the question, if not even highly improper, certainly was very unexpected. They looked sad, for the happenings of the last few days had filled their hearts and minds with sorrow and a feeling of disappointment,” continues Dr. Hendriksen.
“Probably after an embarrassing pause one of the two men started to answer. His name was Cleopas, but there is not any good reason to identify him with the Clopas of John 19:25. His answer was in the form of a counter-question. He wanted to know whether the intruder was the only stranger in, or visitor to, Jerusalem who had managed to remain completely uninformed about matters that were on everybody’s lips.”
Jesus then wanted Clopas to tell Him what things had happened. Both disciples responded by saying, ““Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.”
“The two men placed the main blame exactly where it belonged, namely, on the chief priests and rulers of the Jews. This is not anti-Semitism. It is simply a true reflection of historical fact. To be sure, both the Jewish leaders and the Romans were guilty, but the chief responsibility and therefore also the heavier guilt rested on the Jews (see John 19:11),” says Dr. Hendriksen.
The men then added, “But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel.” What did they mean by this statement?
“There are those who interpret this to mean: “We were hoping that he was the one who would bring about the redemption of Israel by the payment of a ransom of blood; that is, by his death.” It may well be doubted, however, that these men—note how Jesus describes them in verse 25—were so far advanced in their theology. Besides, words have histories. The basic meaning “deliverance through the payment of a ransom” does not necessarily remain the only meaning. Probably the most favorable construction we can place on the words of Cleopas and his companion is this: “We were hoping that he was the one who, in some way, would deliver Israel from its woes, both spiritual and political,” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
One more comment is made by the two men in today’s text. “Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.” There may have been a glimmer of hope in these words. The Emmaus Disciples would soon realize their flicker of hope would give way to a blaze of reality.
Soli deo Gloria!
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