John Calvin 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)

What are those discourses which you hold with each other? What was at that time, as we perceive, done openly by Christ, we daily feel to be accomplished in ourselves in a secret manner: namely, that of His own accord He approaches us unperceived to instruct us.

Now from the reply of Cleopas, it is still more evident that, as I have recently mentioned, though they were in doubt and uncertainty about the resurrection of Christ, they yet had in their hearts a reverence for His doctrine, so that they were far from having any inclination to revolt.

For they do not expect that Christ will anticipate them by making Himself known, or that this fellow-traveler, whoever he may be, will speak of Him respectfully. On the contrary, having but a small and obscure light, Cleopas throws out a few sparks on an unknown man, which were intended to enlighten his mind if he were ignorant and uninformed.

The name of Christ was, at that time, so generally held in hatred and detestation that it was not safe to speak of Him respectfully. But spurning suspicion, he calls Christ a prophet of God and declares that he is one of His disciples.

And though this designation falls greatly below the Divine Majesty of Christ, yet the commendation which he bestows, though moderate, is praiseworthy. For Cleopas had no other intention than to procure for Christ disciples who would submit to His Gospel.

It is uncertain, however, whether it was through ignorance that Cleopas spoke of Christ in terms less magnificent than the case required, or if he intended to begin with first principles, which were better known, and to rise higher by degrees.

It is certain that a little afterwards, he does not simply place Christ in the ordinary rank of prophets, but says that he and others believed Him to be the redeemer.