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Luke 24:18
ESV Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
NIV One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
NASB One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, 'Are You possibly the only one living near Jerusalem who does not know about the things that happened here in these days?'
CSB The one named Cleopas answered him, "Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?"
NLT Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, 'You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.'
KJV And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
NKJV Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

What does Luke 24:18 mean?

Jesus has come upon two of His disciples who are talking about Him. As He approaches, He asks, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" They don't recognize Him—the Holy Spirit is hiding His identity. But they're happy to talk (Luke 24:13–17).

It's not clear if Cleopas's response is serious or if he's being dramatic for the sake of introducing a lively story. Even if he assumed this man did know of Jesus, Cleopas doesn't recognize Him, so He must not be a disciple. Cleopas and his friend are, so they would have more information than the average visitor.

Cleopas assumes Jesus is a visitor to Jerusalem because in that moment most people in the area were travelers. Friday was Passover. Saturday was the Sabbath and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is a holiday Sabbath. Jerusalem is filled with Jews who have traveled from across the Roman Empire to celebrate. But it's reasonable to assume that even if such a traveler heard about the crucifixion of an innocent man, they wouldn't necessarily know the backstory.

Cleopas invites Jesus to ask for more information. Then he goes into the story of the "prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people" (Luke 24:19). This is the man the Sanhedrin convinced the Romans to crucify. He is the same Man whom, according to the women of their group, has risen from the dead (Luke 24:20–24; Matthew 28:8–10).

Jesus lets Cleopas speak, then explains things from His point of view: that the Jewish Scriptures foretold these events long ago. It isn't until the men see Jesus break bread that they realize who He is (Luke 24:25–31).

Cleopas is short for the Greek name Cleopatros. Clopas seems to be the Semitic version, but we don't know if this Cleopas is the same as "the other Mary's" husband (John 19:25). We also don't know who Cleopas's companion is. There's a theory that it's the "Simon" of Luke 24:34 and the wording of the verse is awkward to the point of confusion, but 1 Corinthians 15:5 is strong evidence this "Simon" is Peter who is also known as Cephas.
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