Luke 24:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And therefore our Lord goes on to shew that all these things did not happen in a common way, but from the predestined purpose of God. Hence it follows, And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. As if He said, Since ye are slow I will render you quick, by explaining to you the mysteries of the Scriptures. For the sacrifice of Abraham, when releasing Isaac he sacrificed the ram, prefigured Christ’s sacrifice. But in the other writings of the Prophets also there are scattered about mysteries of Christ’s cross and the resurrection.

Because the above-mentioned disciples were troubled with too much doubt, the Lord reproves them, saying, O fools, (for they almost used the same words as those who stood by the cross, He saved others, himself he cannot save.) And He proceeds, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. For it is possible to believe some of these things and not all; as if a man should believe what the Prophets say of the cross of Christ, as in the Psalms, They pierced my hands and my feet; (Ps. 22:16.) but should not believe what they say of the resurrection, as, Thou shall not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. (Ps.

Now this relates not to falsehood. For not every thing we feign is a falsehood, but only when we feign that which means nothing. But when our feigning has reference to a certain meaning it is not a falsehood, but a kind of figure of the truth. Otherwise all the things figuratively spoken by wise and holy men, or even by our Lord Himself, must be accounted falsehoods. For to the experienced understanding truth consists not in certain words, but as words so also deeds are feigned without falsehood to signify a particular thing.

Luke’s account includes more disciples and recounts events that unfolded on the evening of the day when Christ was resurrected. During that night, two disciples pitched their camp with the Lord, where He was suddenly recognized by them. They quickly returned to share the news with the others, and soon after, Christ appeared to all of them, allowing them to touch Him.

It seems that the Lord had shown Himself to the eleven disciples previously, and in the evening, He revealed Himself specifically to Ammaon and Cleopas. These two, along with the eleven, gathered to offer encouragement to the others. They were the ones who initially were startled, as noted in Luke 24:37, but then He opened their understanding to the Scriptures, as stated in Luke 24:45.

Following this, you will also observe this. It is important to note that as He left, He bestowed upon them His peace, as articulated in John (John 14:27), and upon His return, He grants peace—a profound peace in action and in essence.

By which is implied, that the words uttered by the Saviour inflamed the hearts of the hearers to the love of God.

But since the Evangelist said before, Their eyes were holden that they should not know him, until the words of the Lord should move their minds to faith, He fitly affords in addition to their hearing a favourable object to their sight. As it follows, And they drew nigh to the fortress whither they were going, and he feigned as if he was going further.

Because then He was still a stranger to faith in their hearts, He feigned as if he would go further. By the word “fingere” we mean to put together or form, and hence formers or preparers of mud we call “figuli.” He who was the Truth itself did nothing then by deceit, but exhibited Himself in the body such as He came before them in their minds. But because they could not be strangers to charity, with whom charity was walking, they invite Him as if a stranger to partake of their hospitality. Hence it follows, And they compelled him. From which example it is gathered that strangers are not only to be invited to hospitality, but even to be taken by force.

But although it behoved Christ to suffer, yet they who crucified Him are guilty of inflicting the punishment. For they were not concerned to accomplish what God purposed. Therefore their execution of it was impious, but God’s purpose most wise, who converted their iniquity into a blessing upon mankind, using as it were the viper’s flesh for the working of a health-giving antidote.

But if Moses and the Prophets spoke of Christ, and prophesied that through His Passion He would enter into glory, how does that man boast that he is a Christian, who neither searches how these Scriptures relate to Christ, nor desires to attain by suffering to that glory which he hopes to have with Christ.

Imagine, referencing the journey of the two disciples of Christ, that I proclaim to you, modern followers of Christ: The blessings that are within your reach can be yours if you wholeheartedly dedicate this period, set aside for the solemn commemoration of Christ's resurrection, to sincere reflections and discussions steeped in faith and love. Conversely, you miss out on these blessings if you squander this sacred time on trivialities and indulgences that are excessive and sinful, binding yourselves to sin during the very moment you celebrate your liberation from it. What do you think of this? Do you believe that these are no longer times for divine revelations and visions?

On the contrary, there were still those who did not believe (Mark 16:13). Moreover, not all the faithful had a comprehensive understanding of His current state. It was essential for the Lord to provide them with new spiritual nourishment after their days of turmoil, aligning with their future mission, and to reinforce His previous connections with them. For this purpose, the Lord aimed to present Himself to them collectively. During this time of wavering faith, the grace of the Holy Spirit would temporarily leave them; it would return fully poured out on the day of Pentecost, ushered in by the sound of the Spirit. First, however, the Lord wished to bring back some who had strayed from Jerusalem.

Other manifestations of Jesus Eight days had elapsed since Christ’s initial manifestation to the ten apostles. It remains unclear if He had shown Himself to anyone else during this period. Luke the Evangelist recounts the encounter of the Lord with two disciples journeying to Emmaus. Upon their return to Jerusalem, these disciples found the eleven apostles and those with them gathered, proclaiming that the Lord had indeed risen and had appeared to Simon. Luke is the sole Evangelist to mention this event involving the Lord's appearance to Peter, suggesting it occurred prior to His revelation to the ten apostles, although he does not specify when or where it happened.

As they reached Emmaus, they were engaged in profound discussion. The unfamiliar traveler intended to continue on His way, yet they urged Him to remain with them. When they settled down for a humble meal, He took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and shared it with them. In that moment, their eyes were opened, and despite His altered form, they recognized that He was their Lord. However, as soon as recognition dawned, He became invisible to them. They asked each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures?" Without delay, they got up and returned to Jerusalem with their extraordinary and joyous message. Doubts about these events no longer lingered. They were welcomed with enthusiastic confirmations that "the Lord has indeed risen and appeared to Simon."

At that same time, evening had already begun to settle in; however, had it been the middle of the night, the travelers would have swiftly journeyed to Jerusalem to share the good news. The dinner likely remained uneaten, as the travelers felt a greater compulsion beyond their physical needs (see John 4:31-34)—the imperative to announce the joyful message to the apostles. Upon arriving, they found the eleven gathered together, despite the doors being locked (John 20:19); yet, the doors opened at once for these friends, prompting a joyful exchange of news. The selfless endeavor of the travelers was met, as is often the case, with immense joy for themselves.