273
See also: The Last Supper 248–53 ■ The Crucifixion 258–65 ■ The Empty Tomb 268–71 ■ The Great Commission 274–77THE GOSPELS
explain the cause of their grief to
the “stranger”: the prophet and
miracle worker, Jesus, had died
on the cross three days before.
They tell Him the story of the
women at the tomb and, finally,
acknowledge their sorrow because
they had formerly believed Jesus
was the Messiah. As they recount
recent events and admit to feeling
disillusioned, they reveal their
denial of the truth of Jesus’s
resurrection—while, unbeknown
to them, He stands right before
their eyes. Jesus then declares
them ignorant of the scriptures
and proceeds to explain how Jesus
is, indeed, the Messiah. Still, the
disciples do not comprehend who
the man is or what He is saying.Jesus is recognized
The disciples finally become aware
of their companion’s identity when
they stop for the evening and share
a meal. Jesus takes the bread, and
after blessing and breaking it, He
gives it to the disciples—an action
reminiscent of the Last Supper in
Luke 22. With that action, they
recognize Him as Jesus.
Luke highlights this moment
with an inversion of a metaphor
from the beginning of the story:
at first, the disciples did not
recognize Jesus (24:16), but now,
“their eyes were opened and they
recognized Him” (24:31). Before the
disciples can even blink, however,
Jesus disappears. Dumbfounded
and embarrassed, they remark that
they had felt their hearts burn while
Jesus spoke to them on the road.
Soon after their conversation,
the disciples return to Jerusalem,
find the other disciples, and share
the good news—also known as the
Gospel—that Jesus has risen fromthe dead. Unlike when the women
first reported the news, the others
believe their story, and tell them
that “it is true! The Lord has risen
and has appeared to Simon” (24:34).
Shortly before He joined Cleopas
and the other disciple on the road,
Jesus had appeared to Simon
Peter in John 21.Witnesses of Christ
Jesus appears on several other
occasions in the New Testament.
In 1 Corinthians 15:5–8, Paul
provides a list of those who have
witnessed Him, including: Peter;
the 12 disciples; 500 men and
women “at the same time”; James;
the apostles; and Paul, the letter-
writer himself. Other famous Gospel
accounts include Jesus appearing
to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16; John
20) and Thomas (John 20). These
stories function as proof for
Christians that Jesus died and
rose again; they also point to a
deeper theological belief that
Jesus conquered death and offers
everlasting life to others. ■Women find Jesus’s
empty tomb.Jesus appears to
Mary Magdalene
outside the tomb and to
three other women.Despite the
women’s testimony, the
disciples do not believe
the good news.Jesus appears to
Peter and also walks with
the two disciples on the
road to Emmaus.The disciples
realize the truth of
Jesus’s resurrection
and affirm their
faith in Him.Why are you troubled, and
why do doubts rise in your
minds? Look at My hands
and My feet. It is I Myself!
Touch me and see; a ghost
does not have flesh and
bones, as you see I have.
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