LUKE 24: 13-32 (NIV)

Notes on the New Testament
John Wesley, 2nd ed., London 1757

Life Application Bible Notes (extracts)

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them;
16 but they were kept from recognizing Him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.

The two disciples returning to Emmaus at first missed the significance of history's greatest event because they were too focused on their disappointments and problems. In fact, they didn't recognize Jesus when he was walking beside them. To compound the problem, they were walking in the wrong direction -- away from the fellowship of believers in Jerusalem. We are likely to miss Jesus and withdraw from the strength found in other believers when we become preoccupied with our dashed hopes and frustrated plans. Only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst will we experience the power and help he can bring.

18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" He asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him;

The news about Jesus' crucifixion had spread throughout Jerusalem. Because this was Passover week, Jewish pilgrims visiting the city from all over the Roman empire now knew about his death. This was not a small, insignificant event, affecting only the disciples -- the whole nation was interested.

21 but we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23 but didn't find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive.
24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?"
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if He were going farther.
29 But they urged Him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So He went in to stay with them.
30 When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight.
32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

V. 21. To-day is the third day---The Day He should have risen again, if at all.
V. 25. O foolish---Not understanding the Designs and Works of God: And slow of heart---Unready to believe what the Prophets have so largely spoken.
V. 26. Ought not Christ---If He would redeem Man, and fulfil the Prophecies concerning him, to have suffered these things? ---These very Sufferings, which occasion your Doubts, are the Proofs of his being the Messiah. And to enter into his glory---Which could be done no other Way.
V. 28. He made as tho¹ he would go farther--- Walking forward, as if He was going on; and He would have done it, had they not pressed Him to stay.
V. 29. They constrained him---By their importunate Intreaties.
V. 30. He took the bread, and blessed, and brake---Just in the same Manner, as when He instituted his Last Supper.
V. 31. Their eyes were opened---That is the supernatural Cloud was removed: And he vanished---Went away insensibly.
V. 32. Did not our heart burn within us---Did not we feel an unusual Warmth of Love?

The disciples from Emmaus were counting on Jesus to redeem Israel -- that is, to rescue the nation from its enemies. Most Jews believed that the Old Testament prophecies pointed to a military and political Messiah; they didn't realize that the Messiah had come to redeem people from slavery to sin. When Jesus died, therefore, they lost all hope. They didn't understand that Jesus' death offered the greatest hope possible.