Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 24:13-27

"And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." — Luke 24:13-27 (ASV)

This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus happened on the same day that he rose from the dead. It is fitting for the disciples of Christ to talk together about his death and resurrection; in this way they can improve each other's knowledge, refresh each other's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections. And when just two are well employed together in work of that kind, he will come to them and make a third.

Those who seek Christ will find him: he will reveal himself to those who search for him, and give knowledge to those who use the resources for knowledge that they have. It is not explained how this was, but so it was: they did not know him, as he arranged it so that they might converse more freely with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot receive the comfort offered to them.

Though Christ has entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those who do not know of the death and sufferings of Jesus are truly strangers in Jerusalem. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus rebuked them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament.

If we knew more of the Divine counsels, as far as they are revealed in the Scriptures, we would not be subject to the perplexities in which we often entangle ourselves. He showed them that the sufferings of Christ were truly the appointed way to his glory; but they could not reconcile themselves to the cross of Christ. Beginning with Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself.

There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, and it is highly advantageous to bring these passages together. We cannot go far in any part of Scripture without encountering something that has reference to Christ: some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole fabric of the Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to understand the mystery concerning himself, not by proposing new ideas, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled and by directing them to the earnest study of it.