“What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”
The full verse · Luke 24:17 · KJV
he , manner of are ye one , as ye , ?
Asked by
Jesus: the risen Lord, who drew near and walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus without being recognized (Luke 24:15-16)
Asked to
Cleopas: one of two followers of Jesus walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection (Luke 24:13, 18); Disciples: "two of them" (Luke 24:13), Cleopas and one unnamed companion (Luke 24:18), going to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection; Jesus drew near and went with them, but "their eyes were holden that they should not know him" (Luke 24:16).
The Scene
On the day of the resurrection, two followers of Jesus walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus talking of all that had happened, and Jesus Himself draws near and goes with them, but "their eyes were holden that they should not know him" (Luke 24:13-16).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus had drawn near while they talked (Luke 24:15), so the question was not for His own information. Matthew Henry calls it "a very kind and friendly enquiry." The question has two parts: what are you discussing, and why are you sad? Gill says Christ could see "by their countenances and gestures" that they were full of sorrow. Barnes paraphrases the question as "What is the subject of your conversation?" and says the two "were deeply affected in the recollection of the death of Jesus." After they spoke, He answered their sorrow from the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27).
The Response
What Scripture recordsCleopas answered with a question of his own: "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?" (Luke 24:18). When Jesus asked, "What things?" they told Him about Jesus of Nazareth, His crucifixion, and their lost hope: "we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel" (Luke 24:19-21). They added the women's report of angels who said He was alive (Luke 24:22-24). Then Jesus opened the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:25-27), and at the table "their eyes were opened, and they knew him" (Luke 24:31).
Historical Context
The world behind the words"Communications" translates logoi, words. "Ye have one to another" is antiballete, to throw back and forth or exchange: they were trading words as they walked. "Sad" is skuthropos, which Thayer defines as "of a sad and gloomy countenance"; it appears in the New Testament only here and in Matthew 6:16.
The Textus Receptus, which the KJV follows, reads "and are sad" as part of Jesus' question. Other Greek editions read "and they stood still, looking sad," which is why the ESV differs. Emmaus was "about threescore furlongs" from Jerusalem (Luke 24:13), which Gill reckons "seven miles and a half."
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThe risen Lord came to sad and confused followers, walked with them, and asked about their sorrow before He explained anything. He did not wait for them to understand before He drew near. Mark also records that He "appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked" (Mark 16:12).
Matthew Henry observes, "Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot take the comfort offered to them." These two were sad on the very day Jesus rose. He asked about their sadness first. Then He met it with the truth of His word, rebuking them as "slow of heart to believe" (Luke 24:25), and with His presence.
Look Closer
Why did the two not recognize Jesus?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, You came near to sad disciples and asked what they were talking about; what do You want to hear from me about the things weighing on me today?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The two talked with each other about their sorrow. When you are disappointed, what do you tend to talk over with people but leave unsaid to God?
- Tell about a time someone asked you a simple question that let you share what you were really carrying.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Jesus invites you to tell Him what is on your heart, even when you are confused or sad. Matthew Henry writes that He "takes notice of the sorrow and sadness of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions."
His question is also a pattern for how you can care for others. Before He taught, He asked and listened. Matthew Henry draws this lesson: when we see friends in sorrow, "we should, like Christ here, take cognizance of their grief." A simple, honest question can open the door.
Listening was the beginning, not the end. Jesus did not leave the two in their sadness; He answered it with the Scriptures and His presence (Luke 24:27, 31). Bring your sorrow to Him, and then let His word speak to it.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?”
“What things?”
“Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?”