Luke 24:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On the very day of the resurrection, two heartbroken disciples walk away from Jerusalem, not yet knowing the risen Lord is about to fall in step beside them.
The Context of Luke 24:13
It is the first Easter day. The women have found the empty tomb and reported the angels' message, but the disciples are still scattered and grieving. Two of them set out for Emmaus, a village about seven miles off, and the risen Jesus joins them on the road, unrecognized (Luke 24:14-31).
What Does Luke 24:13 Mean?
The word 'behold' asks us to look closely at something ordinary: two travelers on a dusty road on a Sunday. 'Threescore furlongs' is about seven miles, a couple of hours' walk, and they are heading away from Jerusalem and everything that has just broken their hearts. They had hoped Jesus was the one to redeem Israel, and they watched Him die. The empty tomb has only deepened their confusion. So they walk, talking it all over, carrying their grief out of the city toward home. They do not yet know that this same day the world has changed.
What they cannot see is who is coming up the road behind them. In a few steps the risen Jesus Himself will draw near and walk with them, though their eyes are held from knowing Him (verses 15-16). He will listen to their sorrow, open the Scriptures, and finally be known to them in the breaking of bread. This is the tenderness of the risen Lord: He goes after the discouraged who are walking the wrong way, and He joins them in their grief before they ever recognize His face.
Luke 24:13 in the Original Language
A 'furlong' renders the Greek stadion, about an eighth of a mile; threescore furlongs is roughly seven miles, a walk of two to three hours from Jerusalem.
How to Apply Luke 24:13 Today
Sometimes we walk away from hope, carrying grief down a familiar road, certain the story has ended badly. This account assures us the risen Jesus comes near to the discouraged, even when we cannot yet recognize Him. He meets us in our sorrow, opens the Scriptures, and makes Himself known in His own good time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 24:13
What does Luke 24:13 mean?
On the very day of the resurrection, two heartbroken disciples walk away from Jerusalem, not yet knowing the risen Lord is about to fall in step beside them.
What is the context of Luke 24:13?
It is the first Easter day. The women have found the empty tomb and reported the angels' message, but the disciples are still scattered and grieving. Two of them set out for Emmaus, a village about seven miles off, and the risen Jesus joins them on the road, unrecognized (Luke 24:14-31).
How can I apply Luke 24:13 today?
Sometimes we walk away from hope, carrying grief down a familiar road, certain the story has ended badly. This account assures us the risen Jesus comes near to the discouraged, even when we cannot yet recognize Him. He meets us in our sorrow, opens the Scriptures, and makes Himself known in His own good time.