Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 24:17

"And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad." — Luke 24:17 (ASV)

Jesus, without them recognizing him, suddenly asks the two men a question about their conversation. It is striking that when Jesus addressed them, the two travelers stopped short and “stood still.” Their attitude at that point was gloomy, perhaps even sullen. Only one of the two (Cleopas) is named, probably because he was known to at least some of Luke’s readers.