Discovery BoxLuke 24:13-39
Context24:13 Now 1 that very day two of them 2 were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles 3 from Jerusalem. 4 24:14 They 5 were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 24:15 While 6 they were talking and debating 7 these things, 8 Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them 24:16 (but their eyes were kept 9 from recognizing 10 him). 11 24:17 Then 12 he said to them, “What are these matters 13 you are discussing so intently 14 as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad. 24:18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, 15 “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know 16 the things that have happened there 17 in these days?” 24:19 He 18 said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man 19 who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet 20 before God and all the people; 24:20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over 21 to be condemned to death, and crucified 22 him. 24:21 But we had hoped 23 that he was the one who was going to redeem 24 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. 25 They 26 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, 27 who said he was alive. 24:24 Then 28 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.” 29 24:25 So 30 he said to them, “You 31 foolish people 32 – how slow of heart 33 to believe 34 all that the prophets have spoken! 24:26 Wasn’t 35 it necessary 36 for the Christ 37 to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 24:27 Then 38 beginning with Moses and all the prophets, 39 he interpreted to them the things written about 40 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, 41 24:29 but they urged him, 42 “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So 43 he went in to stay with them.
24:30 When 44 he had taken his place at the table 45 with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, 46 and gave it to them. 24:31 At this point 47 their eyes were opened and they recognized 48 him. 49 Then 50 he vanished out of their sight. 24:32 They 51 said to each other, “Didn’t 52 our hearts 53 burn within us 54 while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining 55 the scriptures to us?” 24:33 So 56 they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. 57 They 58 found the eleven and those with them gathered together 24:34 and 59 saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon!” 60 24:35 Then they told what had happened on the road, 61 and how they recognized him 62 when he broke the bread.
24:36 While they were saying these things, Jesus 63 himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 64 24:37 But they were startled and terrified, thinking 65 they saw a ghost. 66 24:38 Then 67 he said to them, “Why are you frightened, 68 and why do doubts 69 arise in your hearts? 24:39 Look at my hands and my feet; it’s me! 70 Touch me and see; a ghost 71 does not have flesh and bones like you see I have.”
[24:13] 1 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).
[24:13] 2 tn These are disciples as they know about the empty tomb and do not know what to make of it all.
[24:13] 3 tn Grk “sixty stades” or about 11 kilometers. A stade (στάδιον, stadion) was a unit of distance about 607 feet (187 meters) long.
[24:13] 4 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[24:14] 5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[24:15] 6 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.
[24:15] 7 tn This term suggests emotional dialogue and can thus be translated “debated.”
[24:15] 8 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.
[24:16] 9 sn The two disciples will not be allowed to recognize Jesus until v. 31.
[24:16] 10 tn This is an epexegetical (i.e., explanatory) infinitive in Greek.
[24:16] 11 sn This parenthetical remark by the author is necessary so the reader will understand the account.
[24:17] 12 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[24:17] 13 tn Grk “words,” but the term λόγος (logos) can refer to “matters” rather than only “words” (BDAG 600 s.v. 1.a.ε).
[24:17] 14 tn “Discussing so intently” translates the reciprocal idea conveyed by πρὸς ἀλλήλους (pro" allhlou"). The term ἀντιβάλλω (antiballw), used only here in the NT, has the nuance of “arguing” or “debating” a point (the English idiom “to exchange words” also comes close).
[24:18] 15 tn Grk “answering him, said.” This is redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.
[24:18] 16 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.
[24:18] 17 tn Grk “in it” (referring to the city of Jerusalem).
[24:19] 18 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[24:19] 19 tn This translates the Greek term ἀνήρ (anhr).
[24:19] 20 sn The role of Jesus as prophet is a function Luke frequently mentions: 4:25-27; 9:35; 13:31-35.
[24:20] 21 sn Handed him over is another summary of the passion like Luke 9:22.
[24:20] 22 sn See the note on crucify in 23:21.
[24:21] 23 tn The imperfect verb looks back to the view that they held during Jesus’ past ministry.
[24:21] 24 sn Their messianic hope concerning Jesus is expressed by the phrase who was going to redeem Israel.
[24:22] 25 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.
[24:22] 26 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.
[24:23] 27 sn The men in dazzling attire mentioned in v. 4 are identified as angels here.
[24:24] 28 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[24:24] 29 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.
[24:25] 30 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the disciples’ inability to believe in Jesus’ resurrection.
[24:25] 31 tn Grk “O,” an interjection used both in address and emotion (BDAG 1101 s.v. 1).
[24:25] 32 tn The word “people” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied to complete the interjection.
[24:25] 33 sn The rebuke is for failure to believe the promise of scripture, a theme that will appear in vv. 43-47 as well.
[24:25] 34 tn On the syntax of this infinitival construction, see BDAG 364-65 s.v. ἐπί 6.b.
[24:26] 35 tn This Greek particle (οὐχί, ouci) expects a positive reply.
[24:26] 36 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).
[24:26] 37 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[24:27] 38 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[24:27] 39 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.
[24:27] 40 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.
[24:28] 41 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.
[24:29] 42 tn Grk “urged him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes, “saying”) has not been translated because it is redundant in contemporary English.
[24:29] 43 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the disciples’ request.
[24:30] 44 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.
[24:30] 45 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.
[24:30] 46 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.
[24:31] 47 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.
[24:31] 48 sn They recognized him. Other than this cryptic remark, it is not told how the two disciples were now able to recognize Jesus.
[24:31] 49 tn This pronoun is somewhat emphatic.
[24:31] 50 tn This translates a καί (kai, “and”) that has clear sequential force.
[24:32] 51 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[24:32] 52 tn This question uses a Greek particle (οὐχί, ouci) that expects a positive reply.
[24:32] 53 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.
[24:32] 54 tc ‡ Most
[24:32] 55 tn Grk “opening” (cf. Acts 17:3).
[24:33] 56 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the Lord’s appearance to them.
[24:33] 57 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[24:33] 58 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[24:34] 59 tn Here the word “and” has been supplied to make it clear that the disciples who had been to Emmaus found the eleven plus the others gathered and saying this.
[24:34] 60 sn The Lord…has appeared to Simon. Jesus had made another appearance besides the one on the road. The excitement was rising. Simon refers to Simon Peter.
[24:35] 61 sn Now with the recounting of what had happened on the road two sets of witnesses corroborate the women’s report.
[24:35] 62 tn Grk “how he was made known to them”; or “how he was recognized by them.” Here the passive construction has been converted to an active one in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style.
[24:36] 63 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[24:36] 64 tc The words “and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’” are lacking in some Western
[24:37] 65 sn The disciples were still not comfortable at this point thinking that this could be Jesus raised from the dead. Instead they thought they saw a spirit.
[24:37] 66 tc This is not a reference to “a phantom” as read by the Western ms D. For πνεῦμα (pneuma) having the force of “ghost,” or “an independent noncorporeal being, in contrast to a being that can be perceived by the physical senses,” see BDAG 833-34 s.v. πνεῦμα 4.
[24:38] 67 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[24:38] 68 tn Or “disturbed,” “troubled.”
[24:38] 69 tn The expression here is an idiom; see BDAG 58 s.v. ἀναβαίνω 2. Here καρδία (kardia) is a collective singular; the expression has been translated as plural in English.
