Easter Season · Easter Evening · Year C
Luke 24:13-49
On the Road to Emmaus
April 16, 2028
Overview & Insights
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road?” (Luke 24:32)
Following the discovery of the empty tomb, Luke’s Gospel records only two occasions (and hints at another one [24:34]) when the risen Jesus appeared to his disciples, both on the evening of Easter day itself, and chapter 24 taken alone would suggest that Jesus’s ascension followed immediately that same night. But Luke will record in Acts 1:3 that in fact Jesus appeared to his disciples frequently over a forty-day period leading up to the ascension, so that the few appearances recorded in his Gospel must be taken as only selected examples. Their interlinking, along with the sequence leading up to the ascension, means that Luke’s postresurrection appearances, unlike those in Matthew and John, occur only in the immediate area of Jerusalem. The return to Galilee (Matt. 28:7, 10, 16–20; Mark 16:7; John 21) falls outside Luke’s deliberately selective scheme.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Luke 24 Commentary: The Resurrected Jesus, Verse by Verse Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik walks verse by verse through the Emmaus road and the appearance to the Eleven.
Luke 24:13 Commentaries BibleHub
Gathers historic commentaries (Barnes, Gill, JFB and more) on the start of the Emmaus story.
Commentary on Luke 24:13-35 Working Preacher
A Luther Seminary scholar unpacks the disciples' slow recognition of the risen Jesus.
Luke 24:13-35 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the disciples inviting the stranger to stay for supper.
Luke 24 Commentary Precept Austin
A verse-by-verse evangelical study addressing the resurrection appearances in Luke 24.
Background & Word Study
Luke 24 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the chapter, including 'were opened' in verse 31.
Luke 1-9 Video Overview BibleProject
A video walkthrough of Luke's Gospel structure and themes, useful background for the resurrection narrative.
Luke Course Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's introductory course on Luke's Gospel for background on its themes and setting.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
What happens on the road to Emmaus?
The risen Jesus walks unrecognized with two disciples, opens the Scriptures to them, and is made known in the breaking of the bread.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Luke 24:13-49
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.