THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY AND HIS CRUCIFIXION
The Appearance of Jesus to Two Disciples and To Peter
-Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35
-Two disciples, one named Cleopas and the other unnamed, were walking toward Emmaus
discussing the events of the day.
-Luke 24:15 tells us that they “reasoned” together. The word “reasoned” is translated from
a Greek word defined as “to seek or examine together…‘to discuss,’ but is translated ‘to
dispute’ in Acts 6:9 and 9:9, elsewhere only in Mark and Luke” (Vine’s).
-These two disciples were discussing the recent events and trying to make some sense
of them.
-Jesus “…appeared in another form…” (Mark 16:12) and “…drew near and went with them”
(Luke 24:15).
-In regards to this different form, Dorris notes: “Different from what they had before seen
him. In some way, we know not how, his appearance was changed” (pg 385).
-Also, Luke 24:16 tells us that “…their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.” “Jesus
himself designedly restrained their vision, that, unlike John (John xx. 8,9), they might see the
resurrection of Jesus in the Scriptures before they saw it in reality” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg
748).
-When the Lord questioned these two followers about their discussion, Cleopas was shocked that
anybody, even a stranger in Jerusalem, could be unaware of the things that had transpired over the
course of the previous few days.
-When Jesus asked, “What things?” they informed Him of “The things about Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people” (Luke
24:19, NASB). They explained how the Jewish leaders had delivered Him over to be crucified.
They described the hope (now crushed) that they had placed in Jesus as the One to redeem
Israel. Undoubtedly, they too had expected an earthly kingdom with deliverance from the
burden of Roman rule. However, it was now the third day since His death. “They were not
expecting his resurrection on that day, but that so long a time had passed without any relief to
their anxieties” (Boles, Luke, pg 467).
-These two disciples referenced that fact that some of the faithful women had reported the
empty tomb and the message given by angels that Jesus had risen. They spoke of Peter and
John – even though they left them unnamed – going to the tomb but not finding Jesus.
-Interestingly, Luke’s account of the disciples’ words does not include the women’s claim of
seeing the resurrected Lord. There are several possibilities here: 1. perhaps they did
indeed mention this fact but it was not recorded by Luke; 2. perhaps these two disciples
encountered the women after they departed from the tomb but prior to Jesus appearing to
them; 3. the women’s claim of seeing Jesus was omitted by the disciples due to the fact that
their claim was simply dismissed as an idle tale.
-Perhaps the disciples’ words, “…but him they saw not” (Luke 24:24) imply that the women
claimed to have seen Him.
-Jesus responded, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" (Luke 24:25-
26, NASB).
-Jesus then reflected back upon Moses and the prophets and explained the things regarding
Himself in the scriptures. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to have heard His words?!
-When they approached Emmaus the two disciples – still unaware that it was Jesus who traveled
with them – urged Him to stay with them. Jesus agreed to do so.
-As they were about to share a meal together, “…their eyes were opened, and they knew him”
(Luke 24:31). They realized that it was Jesus who had traveled with them and spoken with
them. “While he was breaking the bread to supply their bodies he opened their eyes and
revealed to them that it was he also who had just been feeding their hungry hearts with the
truth and consolation of the divine word” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 750).
-Can you imagine what it must have been like when they realized that it had been Jesus all
along?
-“They now recalled his instruction; they remembered how his words reached the ‘heart’ as
he spoke to them; how convincingly he had showed them that the Messiah ought to suffer,
and how, while he talked to them of the Christ that they so much loved, their hearts glowed
with intense love. This feeling was not confined to them alone. All the followers of Jesus
know how precious and tender are the communications of the Saviour, and how the heart
glows with love as they think or hear of his life, and sufferings, and death” (Barnes).
-Just as the women approached the tomb in sadness but departed with excitement, these men had
traveled from Jerusalem to Emmaus with sadness (see Luke 24:17) but began their return “…that
very hour…” (Luke 24:33) with excitement.
-However, upon arriving where the apostles and others were gathered, these two disciples
heard an affirmation of the truth that they came to deliver – “…The Lord is risen indeed, and
hath appeared unto Simon…” (Luke 24:34).
-Regarding the word “Saying” in Luke 24:34 Clarke observes: “It is not the two disciples to
whom we are to refer the word…saying; but to the body of the disciples” (Clarke). “They
think they will bring strange tidings-thrilling intelligence-to their downcast brethren. But
before they have time to tell their tale, their own ears are saluted with tidings not less
thrilling…” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
-Here, we are told that Jesus had appeared to Peter who had then reported the fact to the other
apostles and to the disciples that were gathered with them.
-This appearance is confirmed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:5. We do not know the exact
timing of this appearance nor any other details regarding it.
-The two disciples then rehearsed their account of how Jesus had appeared to them. However,
Mark’s account informs us - and the words of Jesus during His next appearance confirms - that
their report was not received with belief. Based upon Peter’s testimony they believed the Lord
had appeared, they just didn’t believe that the Lord had appeared to these two disciples.