Where might Jesus have spent his first afternoon after the resurrection? With his disciples or family? That would make sense.
But Jesus chose instead to take a solitary walk–on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus–and happened upon Cleopas and an unnamed believer.
They didn’t recognize him; God chose to hide his Son’s identity from them. Almost immediately they began to talk about recent events in Jerusalem: Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The companions explained what they knew and expressed their disappointment in the outcome.
“We thought he’d rescue us from Roman rule and establish the kingdom of God he always talked about,” they confessed. “This morning some women and a few disciples went to his tomb and it was empty, but as far as we know, no one has actually seen him.”
Jesus chided them for focusing solely on the prophecies that presented a reigning Messiah who would overtake Israel’s enemies. He started expounding on other scriptures that foretold a suffering Messiah, who’d come to bear the penalty for humanity’s sins.
And as Jesus spoke, their spiritual eyes were opened to see how each prophecy had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ [1].
What scriptures did he share? The Bible doesn’t tell us. But perhaps Jesus included such examples as these:
1.“They conspire against me and plot to take my life” (Psalm 31:13b).
Fulfillment: “Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus” (Mark 3:6).
2. “And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord” (Zechariah 11:13).
Fulfillment: Judas was paid thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus. When he returned it out of remorse, the chief priests used the money to buy a potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners (Matthew 26:14-16; 27:6-10).
3. “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircle me; they pierce my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16).
Fulfillment: Jesus was crucified, his hands and feet nailed to a cross (Matthew 27:35).
4. “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment” (Psalm 22:18).
Fulfillment: “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
“‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’” (John 19:23-24).
5. “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads” (Psalm 22:7).
Fulfillment: Passersby, Romans soldiers, chief priests, teachers of the law, elders, and even those crucified with him all mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:27-31, 39-44).
6. “They . . . gave me vinegar for my thirst” (Psalm 69:21).
Fulfillment: Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” They dipped a sponge in wine vinegar, put the sponge on a stalk, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips (John 19:28-29).
Of course, the hour or two Jesus discussed prophecies with Cleopas and his companion wasn’t nearly enough time to cover them all. The Old Testament contains over 300 passages about him, revealing at least 48 details about his life, death, and resurrection [2].
But the evidence the men heard was enough to prompt this passionate response: “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us” [3]?
Some have called their reaction holy heartburn!
Have you too felt your heart strangely warmed [4]?
As I’ve reviewed just these six prophecies listed above, my heart responded with the warm glow of wonder and worship. Only God could weave together so many precise circumstances into one Life—a Life that has defeated death for all who believe in him!
May such truths create a fire of devotion within us—holy heartburn that will warm and delight forever!
[1] Luke 24:13-32
[2] A recommended resource for more thorough study: The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, edited by Michael Reidelnik and Edwin Blum.
[3] Luke 24:32 NIV
[4] That was the description evangelist and theologian John Wesley gave of his spiritual encounter with Jesus (https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/john-wesleys-heart-strangely-warmed-11630227.html).
Art & photo credits: “The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road,” by James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum; http://www.freebibleimages.org (4).
From the Inside Out 
That was real interesting, Nancy. Thanks. And thanks for all the scriptures that show how Jesus fulfilled prophecy.
You’re welcome, Shelley. The study of fulfilled prophecy is intriguing and inspiring!
Excellent! Thank you. I love the scripture references.
One thought… Jesus didn’t have to really hide his appearance from them. The last time they had seen him, he was on the cross. They would have been standing at a distance. He was so beaten and bloody, so cut and bruised, so near death or already dead, that horrific image would have been burned into their memory. This man walking along the road didn’t look at all like that. Then too, how many of the crowds who followed Jesus actually spent time with him up close? Many only saw him from afar back on a hillside, or from the midst of a throng in the Temple courts. Only the apostles spent time “up close and personal” with Jesus on a regular basis.
The same is true for Mary in the garden, thinking Jesus was the gardener. He must have appeared something like he ordinarily looked, healthy, clean and clothed, even if he had been a gardener. Not beaten and cut, not bloody and scarred, as the last time she had seen him. It’s no wonder none of them recognized him! He had to give them a new image, a resurrected image!
Thanks again, Nancy. Blessings from Florence, SC.
Thank you, Bette, for your observations, expanding our view of “how it might have been.” Although Jesus may not have needed to hide his identity from the Emmaus Road travelers, Luke 24:16 does say they were kept from recognizing him. New Living Translation says, “God kept them from recognizing him.” And although God the Father and God the Son are One (John 17:20-23) I’ve reworded the post to more accurately reflect the text. Thank you for drawing that to my attention! / As for Mary not recognizing Jesus, here’s one explanation I’ve heard: Because it was early morning, the sun may have been behind Jesus, blinding Mary as she looked at him. His features would have been obliterated by the bright light shining in her eyes. Another possibility, I suppose!
In the natural, it’s hard to believe the men could have been walking with Jesus and not recognize Him. But then it’s also hard for me to believe that Jewish people who know their Scriptures don’t recognize that He was and is the fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies. Isaiah 53 (my favorite OT chapter) alone has about 22 prophecies. When talking with a Jesish person, I ask him/her who they think the “suffering servant” is that Isaiah is describing, and they can’t tell me. (Food for thought. 😉 )
Thank you for sharing that question, Annie. It just might open the door to holy curiosity and some truth-searching!
I hope so!
This is one of my favorite Bible stories plus love your headline. And you added so much with the prophecies. Thank you for researching this and sharing it.
You’re welcome, Jean. It was my pleasure to do the research; I still love to learn (or bring back to mind things I’ve forgotten)! I came across that very clever “holy heartburn” phrase in several places on the internet. I loved it too. You do have me curious, Jean: why this is one of your favorite Bible stories?
The two friends walking with each other during a confusing time then along comes Jesus walking with them. I think it is a wonderful example of how we can companion one another, listen to Jesus and know Jesus is with us.
I agree: Supporting one another through difficult times and turning to the Word for understanding are two important themes we see played out in this story. Thank you for answering my question, Jean!
The best use of the word “heartburn” I’ve ever seen, Nancy. When do our hearts burn within us? Shouldn’t we be looking for and expecting those moments of revelation? Recently on Hallow, this was the featured scripture, and I took time to reflect and meditate upon it.
Blessings!
I wish I could claim authorship of the attention-grabbing title, but someone else created it. As I told Jean above, it popped up in several places on the internet during my research. / I believe you’re right: we should look for and expect moments of revelation as we spend time with God. / Hallow is new to me; I’ll have to check it out!
I think you’ll love it, Nancy. 🙂
what a fascinating observation that Jesus chose a solitary walk. after all the trauma and pain and loss and victory, I know I’d want to do the same. I find great comfort in your words this evening, Nancy.
I do have to wonder just how long that walk was. Perhaps Jesus teleported onto the road, just behind the two men! On the other hand, your thoughts raise another possibility. Perhaps that walk provided a time for him to spend much-needed time alone with his Father. One day we’ll know. / Praise God you found comfort in this post, LInda. That warms my heart.
A great follow-up post to Easter. I had forgotten about Jesus’ encounter with Cleopas on the road to Emmaus. Loved the ‘fulfillment’ verses shown on each of these prophesies.
I found it amazing to see them altogether–and this isn’t even a complete list of the prophecies related to Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Fulfilled prophecy is a fascinating study!
In the shock of grief, it never surprised me that Mary did not recognize Jesus, but thought Him to be a gardener. The blinding light, as you mentioned is also a possibility. I am glad you drew attention to the solitary walk that Jesus made when he encountered these two men. Jesus knows all and sees all. God encounters people wherever they may be. His truth is always the truth, though not everyone can see it or believe it. Believers know that the truth is revealed in every word of scripture…It is the Living Word of God. The more we dwell in God’s word, the more we understand that truth.
Amen, Linda! You’re on the same track as one of the commentators I read who noted that these men probably weren’t what we’d call people of influence. No titles are given, not even their line of work. Yet Jesus made it a point to meet up with them and spend quality time in their company. Perhaps God wanted future believers to understand clearly: he sent his Son for EVERYone.
Nancy, thank you for this wonderful post with scriptures of prophecy and scriptures of the fulfillment. This is a great Bible study! Thank you, dear one!
You’re welcome, Pam. I’m so glad you found wonder here! I certainly did as I completed the research. Fulfilled prophecy is a fascinating, inspiring study!
What I love about the Resurrection is how the miracle didn’t stop with the realization “He is risen!” Jesus’ brief return to the people strikes me as a reminder that his good deeds are meant to continue (forever) beyond his ascension. I know I’m guilty of celebrating on Easter Sunday but then returning to life on Monday without any sense of transformation. I need to work on that!
The habits and routines of weekdays do tend to dampen Sabbath joy, even Easter euphoria. No doubt we all need to cling more tightly to its effect. Perhaps a “He is risen!” bookmark in our quiet time materials would help us pause and praise God for all his wonderful works (Psalm 105:5a). That would include the wonder of Christ’s resurrection and its implications on our lives. Genuine praise and gratitude DO have a transformative effect on our spirits.
Sometimes I try to imagine what it would have been like to live in Christ’s time on earth. The Jewish people had so much that they didn’t understand about the Messiah, sometimes through true ignorance and sometimes through willful disbelief. What would be our reaction if Jesus came today? Would we realize who He is? Your words give much to ponder, Nancy. May I always look to God’s Word for all the answers I need.
I can only imagine the wonderment Cleopas and his companion felt as they listened to Jesus and began to understand certain Old Testament scriptures in new ways. We have the great advantage of seeing/studying the New Testament together with the Old; they did not. You ask a good question, Patty: What would be our reaction if Jesus came today? I’m sure he would raise some eyebrows and even rock us off our equilibrium, to help us see truth and choose to live by it.
Wow, that got me thinking. Why Jesus went with strangers instead of people close to Him. But then again, God works in mysterious ways. 🙂
It’s possible these two men were disciples of Jesus, maybe in the outer circle of 72, mentioned in Luke 10:1-24. They likely knew Jesus and he knew them, since Luke begins the Emmaus Road account with, “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus . . . ” (Luke 24:13). The word “them” seems to indicate they were among those who’d followed Jesus. Just the same, God did work in mysterious ways, hiding Jesus’ identity from them, then causing him to disappear as his identity was revealed.
The Lord has blessed us with His Word. Through it, He connects the New Covenant with the Old. We are encouraged to continue feeding upon these interactions with Jesus.
Agreed, BSB: God’s Word is an incredible blessing!
Hi Nancy,
The Bible really is all of human history in one book from God’s perspective. Crazy stuff. Since Jesus is the protagonist why wouldn’t there be so so many clues?
Thank you,
Gary
God certainly included an abundance of clues, so we can know for certain that Jesus is the Messiah. The laws of probability refute the idea that so many prophecies could come true in the life of one person simply by chance. Then, there are all the architectural proofs, the 5000+ manuscripts/fragments (dating closer to the original documents than any other ancient writings), etc. etc. MANY clues indeed!
Yes, and many are coming to pass as we speak.