Why Didn't Jesus' Followers Recognize Him on the Road to Emmaus?

The early church experience of two men walking the road to Emmaus can be looked at as an example of living at a low point in faith and being delightfully surprised by what happens next to build your faith. These two men are not among the chosen 12 disciples, now numbering 11, but are part of the early group of followers of Jesus, nonetheless. The two sneaked off from the believers gathered in Jerusalem and head down the road to Emmaus, their hometown, and about a seven-mile journey from Jerusalem. Their purpose is to clear their heads after Christ’s death and resurrection. They walk and talk over the events of the past week regarding Christ’s arrest, crucifixion, and reported a rise from the dead. Their story is recorded in Luke 24:13-35, the only Gospel account of it.

What Happened on the Road to Emmaus?

As the men hash over the confusing events of Jesus' death and resurrection, probably discussing his ministry and preaching as well, a stranger falls in line with them on their walk. The two men recap the events of Jesus’ last days on earth and tell the stranger about the frustration and dismay they have experienced in the three days since Jesus’ death on the cross. The stranger replies, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26). The stranger, who is Jesus, explains the Old Testament prophecy that has come true in the current time.

The men arrive at Emmaus and invite the stranger to join them for dinner with their family. Across the table, relaxing over a meal after their long walk, they recognize Jesus. The risen Savior of the world advises the disciples to remain faithful, stay together in Jerusalem, and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit to give them a direction for maintaining and building the new Christian church.

What Do We Know about Cleopas and the Other Follower?

The two men walking down the road to Emmaus and inviting Jesus—unrecognized by the men—to dinner are average men. They are two of the band of first followers of Jesus. That Jesus chose to reveal himself physically and in spirit to the walkers to Emmaus indicates that Jesus came to earth and died for all people. Jesus did not limit his influence to a select number of disciples, or Jewish people, or rich or poor people, or even needy people. Jesus sacrificed his life for all people and follows up in the lives of all people. Cleopas—whose name means “glory to God”—is named. His traveling companion on the road to Emmaus remains unnamed; he is one of many.

The author of a Bible Study Tools article suspects these two men are walking home to Emmaus, in Galilee, to avoid more confusing talk about Jesus in Jerusalem. They want to get away from it all, to relieve the stress of losing Jesus in the flesh. The men use the time on their walk to talk with each other and to the “stranger” about their awful disappointment with the end of Jesus’ life.

Why Didn't They Recognize Jesus on the Road to Emmaus?

Luke 24:16 says the two men were kept from recognizing him. Perhaps Jesus is teaching the downcast disciples a lesson. Jesus wants them to learn the lessons of the miracle of resurrection before revealing Himself to them and giving away all the answers. It is a faith walk.

Perhaps because they were so discouraged, it took a while for the two men to see the true spirit and identify of the stranger who joined them on the road to Emmaus. They did not recognize Jesus on the walk, even though he was right next to them. Only when they are eating dinner later, and become quieter and full of food, does Jesus' true identity become real to the two men.

When life has rocked us to the core, it is hard to be open to an opportunity to experience joy. We often don’t recognize something good and divine until it sits down across the table and has dinner with us. The miraculous appearance and works of God in our lives are so good they are often unbelievable. We need to stop, look, listen, and appreciate what God has done for us. He is ready to lift us up in our downcast times. We only need to look up and see him.

The answers to the biggest questions of our lives are found by accepting divine intervention. We need to recognize the gifts that have already been given and give thanks after the fact, like the two men who walked to Emmaus who finally understood God’s plan.

Why Should Christians Know about the Road to Emmaus Bible Story?

This narrative illustrates how God meets us wherever we are. We can’t escape his mercy and love. The Old Testament history of the prophet Jonah trying to flee God’s plan for his life is an example of being held by God. Jonah originally refuses to obey God’s command for Jonah to preach and prophecy in Nineveh, a worldly capital of the ancient world. Jonah jumps on a ship and is tossed overboard to be swallowed by a whale that vomits him up in Nineveh, 500 miles from Jonah’s hometown. Jonah preaches in Nineveh. Jonah’s life story has a persistent God minding His child. God works with us where we are and with what we are doing. It’s a dinner date we can’t refuse in the case of the men walking to Emmaus. And the truth will be known to us when we sit back like early church members and listen to what God is telling us.

One important detail of the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus is that they invited Jesus to dinner at their Emmaus destination. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 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 24:28-29). Jesus was a cordial guest, waiting to be invited to the dinner in Emmaus. Jesus was good company, easy for the two men to talk to, a good listener. This section of the Gospel story in Luke teaches us we need to ask for God’s guidance, to invite him into our lives to get understanding and purpose from Him. God will listen and will do some talking to us.

Jesus reveals himself to the early church people gathered at dinner and they have an “Ah, ha” moment. A part of each of them knew all along that the stranger was Jesus. The people at dinner say to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). After a time at the table, the followers of Jesus believe with their minds and hearts that Jesus is the risen Lord. We need confirmation of a spiritual truth today. We need a body of believers who also hear what God is saying, like the two men in Emmaus and their community of believers back in Jerusalem.

It all started with a long walk home down a dusty road. Jesus met the disciples there when they were walking, talking, and listening to each other. Then the two men met Christ on the road and let him take over the adventure, leading to understanding God’s divine purpose.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Michal Stipek

Betty Dunn hopes her writing leads you to holding hands with God. A former high school English teacher, editor, and nonprofit agency writer, she now works on writing projects from her home in West Michigan, where she enjoys woods, water, pets and family. Check out her blog at Betty by Elizabeth Dunning and her website, www.elizabethdunning-wix.com.