Luke 24 35

Luke 24:35 kjv

And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Luke 24:35 nkjv

And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Luke 24:35 niv

Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Luke 24:35 esv

Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:35 nlt

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

Luke 24 verses

Luke 24 35 Meaning

Luke 24:35 encapsulates the two primary ways the resurrected Christ was revealed to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, forming the basis of their report to the apostles. First, His revelation was through the exposition of the Scriptures concerning Himself ("what things were done in the way"). Second, it was through the intimate, recognizable act of "breaking of bread," a symbolic action that opened their eyes to His identity. This verse serves as a summary of their transformative encounter and validates Jesus' real, physical resurrection and His continued presence with His followers through His Word and communal acts.

Luke 24 35 Context

Luke chapter 24 details the dramatic events following Jesus' resurrection. It begins with the discovery of the empty tomb by the women (vv. 1-12) and then focuses on the journey of two disciples, Cleopas and another unnamed companion, to Emmaus (vv. 13-34). These disciples were distraught, having heard confusing reports but not fully understanding Jesus' resurrection. As they walked, a stranger (Jesus himself, unrecognized by them) joined them. He patiently listened to their sorrow and then, starting from Moses and all the Prophets, interpreted to them the prophecies concerning the Messiah (vv. 25-27). This teaching made their hearts "burn within them" (v. 32). Upon reaching Emmaus, they persuaded Him to stay. During supper, Jesus "took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them" (v. 30), a profoundly familiar action from the Last Supper. At that precise moment, "their eyes were opened and they recognized him" (v. 31), and He immediately vanished. Overwhelmed and joyful, they rushed back to Jerusalem, encountering the Eleven and others. Verse 35 is their personal testimony and confirmation of what happened, recounting the entire Emmaus incident, serving as an important link between Jesus' appearance and the disciples' belief and witness. It anticipates Jesus' subsequent appearance to the wider group, further solidifying the resurrection accounts.

Luke 24 35 Word analysis

• And they told: (Greek: kai autoi exēgounto - "they themselves were explaining/recounting in detail"). This signifies their personal, first-hand testimony. The imperfect tense (exēgounto) suggests a continuous or detailed recounting of the story, not just a brief statement. Their experience became their narrative.
• what things were done: Refers to the whole journey and Jesus' interactions. The events included Jesus joining them, their conversation, His detailed explanation of the Scriptures (Lk 24:27), and the heart-warming effect of His words (Lk 24:32).
• in the way: (Greek: en tē hodō - "in the road/journey"). This specifies the location and circumstance. The "way" is significant, often symbolizing a life path, spiritual journey, or adherence to teachings (cf. Acts 9:2, "the Way"). Here, it represents the transformative journey where divine truth was imparted.
• and how: (Greek: kai hōs). Connects the previous general recounting with the specific, pivotal moment of recognition, emphasizing the manner of their revelation.
• he was known: (Greek: egnōsthē autois - "he was recognized by them"). The passive voice indicates that recognition was something done to them or revealed to them, rather than something they independently figured out. It implies a divine act of disclosure, opening their spiritual eyes.
• of them: By or to them, indicating they were the recipients of this revelation.
• in breaking of bread: (Greek: en tē klasei tou artou - "in the breaking of the bread"). This phrase pinpoints the precise act and moment of recognition. "Breaking of bread" had significant meaning:
  • It was a common act of hospitality in the ancient world.
  • Crucially, it strongly echoes Jesus' actions at the Last Supper (Lk 22:19), making it a distinctive gesture recognizable to His disciples.
  • It prefigures the Eucharist, the communion, where Christ's presence is communally experienced. This action made the unrecognized stranger undeniably Jesus.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And they told what things were done in the way: This phrase highlights the disciples' eyewitness testimony about their experience with Jesus while traveling. Their hearts burned as He explained the Scriptures (Lk 24:32). This shows that understanding God's Word is a key part of encountering Christ.
• and how he was known of them in breaking of bread: This pinpoints the critical moment of their spiritual enlightenment. The recognition came not merely from His teaching, but from a specific, familiar ritualistic act—the breaking of bread. This act, tied to His actions at the Last Supper and the future church's communion, demonstrated His personal, sacrificial, and redemptive presence. It underscored a revelation beyond intellectual understanding, linking spiritual insight to a sacramental experience.

Luke 24 35 Bonus section

The detailed explanation of Scripture by Jesus on the road (Lk 24:27) before His recognition is paramount. It demonstrates that true understanding of Jesus as the Messiah comes through rightly interpreting the entire Old Testament as pointing to Him. This provides a hermeneutical key for Christian theology, affirming that Christ is the culmination of God's redemptive plan as prophesied throughout history. The Emmaus account also underlines the mystery of divine revelation, where Jesus chooses the timing and method of making Himself known, not always being immediately obvious even to His devoted followers. The journey itself serves as a metaphor for Christian discipleship—walking with Jesus, learning from Him, experiencing moments of revelation, and then being sent to testify to others. Their testimony strengthens the belief of the other disciples (Luke 24:36-39) and underscores the importance of communal sharing of experiences of faith, laying a foundation for the Church's mission to witness to the risen Christ.

Luke 24 35 Commentary

Luke 24:35 acts as the crucial witness statement from the Emmaus disciples to the assembled group in Jerusalem, confirming Jesus' physical resurrection. Their report establishes two fundamental avenues for experiencing Christ's presence: through the Word (His exposition of Scripture during the journey) and through Sacrament (the breaking of bread). This dual revelation emphasizes that encountering the Risen Lord involves both intellectual illumination of divine truth and a participatory, communal experience. The disciples' initial spiritual blindness was overcome not by their own cleverness but by Christ's initiative to teach them from the Old Testament, fulfilling prophecy, and then by a distinctive, personal action that resonated with deep meaning. The act of "breaking of bread" is a strong allusion to the Last Supper, marking it as a sign of Jesus' real, continued presence with His people. It connects historical fact with ongoing spiritual reality, urging believers to seek Christ through His Word and in communal worship. The prompt recognition and His subsequent disappearance served to impress upon the disciples the reality of His resurrection, propelling them to immediate testimony despite their exhaustion.