Luke 24:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

NIV: When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

NASB: And it came about, when He had reclined at the table with them, that He took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it and began giving it to them.

CSB: It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

NLT: As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them.

KJV: And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave to them.

NKJV: Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

After an intense day in Jerusalem, Cleopas and his friend have reached Emmaus. Jesus' tomb is empty and angels are telling women that He's risen from the dead (Luke 24:1–12). As they walk to Emmaus, the two men discuss what has happened.

Along the way, a fellow traveler joins their conversation. After Cleopas recounts the events of the day, the traveler chimes in. Everything Jesus suffered is consistent with the prophecies of the Messiah in the Jewish Scriptures. But the Scriptures also say the Messiah will rise again and be glorified (Luke 24:13–27).

When the three men reach Emmaus, the traveler acts as if He's going to continue to walk. Cleopas and his friend show proper hospitality by inviting Him to stay. When they sit at the table, the traveler takes the bread. He prays God's blessing over it. He breaks it apart and passes them the pieces.

We don't know who Cleopas is. There's an outside chance he's Clopas, the husband of "the other Mary," and the father of James and Joses (John 19:25; Mark 15:40). We don't even know the name of his companion. But they were close enough to Jesus to stay with the disciples in a locked room the night and day after Jesus' crucifixion (John 20:19). And they knew Mary Magdalene and the other women who went to put aromatics on Jesus' grave.

So, they must have traveled with Jesus, not as much as the Twelve, perhaps, but often. They watch Jesus' hands on the bread. They listen to His voice praying. It's all so familiar.

As Jesus hosts them in a meal, inviting them into His community and protection, the Holy Spirit lifts the veil placed over their eyes (Luke 18:34). But the moment they understand, Jesus disappears (Luke 24:31).

As they did earlier in the day, they discuss what they've just experienced, perhaps needing the assurance that they both saw the same thing. Then they reverse their steps. The late hour doesn't matter. They need to return to the other disciples and let them know: Jesus is alive (Luke 24:32–33).

Luke 24:28–35 describes how the two men traveling to Emmaus finally recognize Jesus. They had been discussing Jesus' death when Jesus, keeping His identity hidden, asked what they were talking about. They told Him, and He explained how the events fit with the Old Testament, both the Torah and the Prophets (Luke 24:13–27). When they invite Him to eat, He breaks the bread and they realize it's Him. Jesus disappears and the two return to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. It turns out, Peter has seen Jesus, too. Only Luke authentically records the interaction between Jesus and the two disciples.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.