Luke 24 13

Luke 24:13 kjv

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

Luke 24:13 nkjv

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.

Luke 24:13 niv

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

Luke 24:13 esv

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,

Luke 24:13 nlt

That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.

Luke 24 verses

Luke 24 13 Meaning

Luke 24:13 introduces a pivotal moment on the very day of Jesus' resurrection. It sets the scene for one of the most significant post-resurrection appearances, revealing Jesus to two of His disciples who are walking away from Jerusalem towards a village called Emmaus, roughly seven miles distant. The verse highlights their specific journey away from the spiritual epicenter of recent events, suggesting their profound disappointment and lack of understanding concerning the empty tomb reports and the women's testimony. It marks a narrative shift from the direct experiences in Jerusalem to an encounter designed to open the hearts and minds of confused followers, preparing them for a transformative revelation of the resurrected Christ.

Luke 24 13 Context

Luke 24 begins with the astonishing discovery of the empty tomb on the first day of the week by the women disciples, who then report to the apostles (Lk 24:1-11). However, their words seemed "an idle tale," and the disciples, even after Peter's own visit to the tomb (Lk 24:12), remained perplexed. It is in this atmosphere of confusion, grief, and unfulfilled expectation following Jesus' crucifixion that Luke 24:13 takes us away from Jerusalem. The two disciples walking to Emmaus embody the post-resurrection despondency and spiritual blindness of those who witnessed the Passion but had yet to grasp the glorious triumph of the resurrection. Their journey away from Jerusalem symbolically represents their retreat from hope, creating the perfect setting for Jesus to draw near and reveal Himself, ultimately transforming their despair into fervent joy and leading them back to the fold of believers.

Luke 24 13 Word analysis

• And behold (καὶ ἰδοὺ, kai idou): A classic Lucan transitional interjection. It acts as a narrative spotlight, drawing the reader's immediate attention to a sudden, significant, and often divinely orchestrated event or character. It signals a crucial new development in the unfolding story, frequently used to introduce divine action or an unexpected revelation.
• two of them (δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν, dyo ex autōn): "Them" refers to the broader group of disciples and followers mentioned in the preceding verses, who had heard the reports from the women but remained disbelieving or confused. While one is identified as Cleopas later (Lk 24:18), the other remains unnamed, suggesting they may represent a wider segment of disillusioned believers, allowing readers to identify with their experience. The "two" also echoes the Old Testament principle requiring two witnesses to confirm truth, which is subtly fulfilled as these two become eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ.
• were going (πορεύοντο, poreuonto): This verb in the imperfect tense describes an ongoing, continuous action. It indicates a purposeful journey, a deliberate walking away from the distressing events in Jerusalem, implying their despair or desire to retreat. This act of walking becomes a metaphor for their journey of faith and eventual recognition.
• that very day (ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, en autē tē hēmera): Emphasizes the immediacy and the truth of the resurrection event occurring on "the first day of the week" (Lk 24:1). It highlights that the appearance to the Emmaus disciples was part of the rapid, transformative sequence of events on Resurrection Sunday, grounding the miraculous in specific time.
• to a village named Emmaus (εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν ... ὀνόματι Ἐμμαοῦς, eis kōmē aperkhousan ... onomati Emmaous): Emmaus, meaning "hot springs," was a common ancient place name. Its precise location remains debated by scholars (multiple sites bearing the name). However, its spiritual significance lies in its distance from Jerusalem, the place of crucifixion and initial resurrection reports. The journey to Emmaus signifies a physical and emotional departure from the traumatic center of events, reflecting the disciples' withdrawal into their sorrow.
• which was about sixty stadia (ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλὴμ στάδια ἑξήκοντα, apo Ierousalēm stadia hexēkonta): A "stadion" was an ancient unit of measurement, approximately 600 feet (185 meters). Sixty stadia is about seven miles or eleven kilometers. This specific distance highlights the tangible nature of their journey and indicates a few hours of walking, providing ample time for the significant encounter and theological discussion that follows with the unrecognized Jesus.
• from Jerusalem (ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, apo Hierousalēm): Jerusalem, the city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and the traditional spiritual center for the Jewish people. Their departure from Jerusalem symbolizes their despair and the turning away from the site where their hopes seemingly died, setting the stage for Jesus to meet them precisely in their state of turning away.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And behold, two of them": The combined impact of the urgent "behold" with the presence of "two disciples" highlights that God is about to initiate a new, important phase of post-resurrection revelation through a verifiable, relational encounter. This reinforces the principle of two witnesses and establishes the validity of the forthcoming spiritual understanding.
• "were going that very day to a village named Emmaus": This phrase emphasizes the setting in time (Resurrection Sunday) and location. It underscores the disciples' action of leaving Jerusalem, the center of both despair and unrecognized hope. Their physical journey symbolizes their emotional and spiritual disorientation after the crucifixion and the women's news.
• "which was about sixty stadia from Jerusalem": This precisely stated distance not only grounds the narrative in historical reality but also subtly conveys the mental distance these disciples were placing between themselves and the bewildering events in Jerusalem. Their walking away physically reflects their internal struggle to process the unexpected and unbelievable reports.

Luke 24 13 Bonus section

The Emmaus Road narrative, initiated in Luke 24:13, is particularly unique in Luke's Gospel. Luke, being a meticulous historian, records the specific distance (sixty stadia), adding to the narrative's verisimilitude. While some scholars debate the exact location of Emmaus, its precise geographical identity matters less than its narrative function: it represents a journey away from the place of past sorrow towards a new encounter with truth. The journey is vital as it provides the prolonged conversational context necessary for Jesus to teach His disciples, showing the continuity of the Old Testament prophecies with His suffering and glory. The journey away from Jerusalem ultimately culminates in their eager journey back to Jerusalem, symbolizing their return to faith, fellowship, and mission after encountering the Risen Christ. This initial step, their dejected departure, is what opens the door for divine revelation.

Luke 24 13 Commentary

Luke 24:13 serves as the narrative hinge introducing the profound Emmaus Road account. It sets the stage for a unique post-resurrection encounter by placing Jesus with two disciples on a journey away from Jerusalem. This seemingly ordinary walk embodies their broken hope and despondency, moving away from the empty tomb and confusing reports towards a place of solace or escape. The precision of the "very day" anchors the event firmly within the framework of Resurrection Sunday, underscoring the immediacy and historicity of Christ's triumph over death. As they physically move away, Jesus supernaturally draws near, highlighting His pursuit of disillusioned followers. This verse initiates a journey not only geographical but also spiritual, where the eyes of despairing disciples will soon be opened to the reality of the Risen Lord. It reminds us that Christ meets us precisely where we are, even on the path of discouragement, to transform our understanding and restore our hope.