Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 24:31

"And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." — Luke 24:31 (ASV)

The invitation for Jesus to stay with the two follows the ancient custom of hospitality. As the afternoon drew on and suppertime approached, the stranger would need food and lodging. Jesus had “acted as if” he were going to continue his journey. Such a gesture would, like the invitation itself, be appropriate in the custom of those days. This polite action seems intended to draw out a very strong response from Cleopas and his companion, who indeed then “urged him strongly” to stay (v.29).

The recognition scene is one of the high points in this story. Once again we find a table scene characteristic in Luke (cf. 5:29; 7:36; 14:1, 7, 12, 15–16). What is remarkable is that Jesus took the role of the host and broke the bread, giving thanks (v.30). This recalls the feeding of the five thousand (9:10–17) as well as the Last Supper (22:19), though it was not a celebration of the latter.

As to whether it was through the actual breaking of bread or through divine intervention that the moment of truth came and the two disciples recognized Jesus, the answer must be that it was through both. Whether or not the two noticed the nail scars, Jesus acting as host led to the recognition. At the same time, the passive verb “were opened” implies divine action (v.31; cf. comment on v.16). God is the revealer of the risen Christ. Note the repetition of Jesus’ opening “the Scriptures” (v.32) and later “their minds” (v.45).

The narrative ends abruptly as Jesus disappeared and Cleopas and his companion reflected on their feelings of intense inner warmth. The specific occasion of these feelings is the presence of the Lord and his expounding the OT.