Luke 24 29

Luke 24:29 kjv

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 24:29 nkjv

But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.

Luke 24:29 niv

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.

Luke 24:29 esv

but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.

Luke 24:29 nlt

but they begged him, "Stay the night with us, since it is getting late." So he went home with them.

Luke 24 verses

Luke 24 29 Meaning

Luke 24:29 describes the earnest plea of two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who, unbeknownst to them, are conversing with the resurrected Christ. They urge the "stranger" to remain with them as evening approaches and the day is concluding, driven by both traditional hospitality and an unconscious desire for His continuing presence and teaching. He complies with their fervent invitation, signaling a willingness to engage further.

Luke 24 29 Context

Luke chapter 24 chronicles the events of the resurrection day. Specifically, verses 13-35 detail the journey of two disciples, Cleopas and another, from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were deeply dejected by the crucifixion and Jesus' perceived failure. As they walked, a "stranger" (Jesus) joined them and explained the Scriptures concerning Himself, igniting a profound, though unrecognized, stirring within their hearts. This verse, Luke 24:29, marks the pivotal moment when the disciples, captivated by the "stranger's" wisdom and presence, invite Him to their home, unaware that they are inviting the very Lord they mourned. Historically, in the ancient Near East, offering hospitality to travelers was a societal and religious obligation, especially as nightfall brought increased dangers from wild animals or bandits. Their urgency reflects both this cultural expectation and a nascent spiritual longing cultivated by His recent teaching.

Luke 24 29 Word analysis

• But (Greek: Δὲ - De): A conjunction that marks a transition, often signifying a contrast or continuation. Here, it transitions from Jesus' feigned intention to go further to the disciples' intervention.
• they constrained (Greek: παρεβιάσαντο - parebiasanto): This verb means "to compel by urging, to press strongly, to prevail upon." It's not a physical force but an earnest, insistent persuasion, indicative of a strong desire. This mirrors instances in scripture where individuals wrestled with divine beings (Gen 32:26) or intensely pleaded with God (Exod 32:11). The disciples were deeply impressed and wanted more of His presence and words.
• Him (Greek: αὐτὸν - auton): Refers to the unrecognized Jesus, who was traveling with them.
• saying (Greek: λέγοντες - legontes): Indicating their direct speech that follows.
• Abide (Greek: Μεῖνον - Meinon): An imperative verb meaning "remain, stay, dwell." It implies more than a temporary stop; it suggests an enduring presence, echoing deeper spiritual longings for God's permanent presence with His people (Exod 33:14).
• with us (Greek: μεθ’ ἡμῶν - meth' hēmōn): A plea for companionship and shared space, revealing a desire for continued communion.
• for it is toward evening (Greek: ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶν - hoti pros hesperan estin): A practical justification rooted in the hazards of travel after dark. "Toward evening" signifies the approach of night, indicating the fading of daylight and increasing darkness.
• and the day is far spent (Greek: καὶ κλίνασα ἤδη ἐστὶν ἡ ἡμέρα - kai klinasa ēdē estin hē hēmera): Literally, "and the day has already declined/slanted." This further emphasizes the lateness of the hour, adding urgency to their invitation. Symbolically, this fading light can represent the disciples' own spiritual "evening" of confusion and despair before they recognized the Light of the World.
• And He went in (Greek: Καὶ εἰσῆλθεν - Kai eisēlthen): Denotes His immediate and willing compliance to their invitation, highlighting His readiness to respond to a heartfelt plea. This "entering in" is a crucial turning point, leading to the revelation.
• to tarry with them (Greek: τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς - tou meinai syn autois): The infinitive reiterates "to remain/stay," underscoring that His action was to dwell or lodge with them. The phrase "with them" again highlights the desired fellowship.

Words-group analysis:

• "But they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us": This phrase captures the intense, persistent nature of their request. Their profound internal connection to the stranger's words, coupled with cultural norms, led them to urgently seek more of His presence. It shows the human initiative in extending hospitality that opens the door for divine revelation.
• "for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent": This provides the immediate, practical, and culturally sensible reason for their plea. It paints a picture of diminishing light, a time for travelers to seek shelter, but also hints at the spiritual 'darkness' or uncertainty in their lives before Jesus' full revelation. This justification sets the scene for the light to come.
• "And He went in to tarry with them": This concluding phrase highlights the success of their invitation. The verb choice indicates His deliberate and willing entry. It underscores Jesus' responsiveness to earnest requests and marks the transition from journey to dwelling, where intimacy and recognition are made possible.

Luke 24 29 Bonus section

The seemingly simple act of inviting a stranger to "abide" takes on immense theological significance when considering it was Jesus. This incident is not just about ancient hospitality; it foreshadows Jesus' desire to dwell among and within His followers. The disciples' perception of "evening" as an end to a day's journey perfectly parallels their current understanding: a journey ending in sorrow with their hope seemingly lost. Yet, this "evening" became the moment before their eyes were opened, symbolizing that often, it is in moments of apparent closure or darkness that true spiritual light and revelation occur. This narrative element underlines Jesus' methodology of meeting people in their context of doubt and disappointment, walking with them, teaching them, and then responding to their invitation to deepen the relationship. Their unconscious spiritual longing, expressed through common courtesy, highlights how grace can work through the most ordinary human actions to facilitate extraordinary divine encounter.

Luke 24 29 Commentary

Luke 24:29 is a poignant snapshot of human yearning intersecting with divine grace. The disciples, unknowingly engaging with the risen Lord, felt an irresistible draw to His presence, born of His powerful scriptural exposition on their journey. Their act of "constraining" was a demonstration of a compelling internal persuasion, not physical force, and it stemmed from a desire for continued instruction and fellowship. The practical reasons for hospitality – the encroaching evening and the spent day – veil a deeper, spiritual hunger for the light and truth the "stranger" embodied. Jesus' compliance, "He went in to tarry with them," signifies His willingness to answer such earnest, open invitations, setting the stage for the pivotal moment of revelation through the breaking of bread. This verse teaches that our sincere invitations, even if made from partial understanding or simple hospitality, can create the space for profound encounters with Christ.

Practical usage:

• Active hospitality: Recognize that welcoming others into our homes or lives, especially those we might perceive as strangers, can open doors for God to work in unexpected ways (Heb 13:2).
• Persistent prayer: Just as the disciples strongly urged Jesus, we are called to be persistent in prayer, continually seeking His presence and guidance in our lives (Lk 11:8, Lk 18:1-8).
• Invitation for presence: Consciously invite Jesus' presence into all aspects of life – homes, relationships, work – acknowledging that He waits for our invitation (Rev 3:20).