This was to Cleopas and his companion, probably his wife, when on their way to their home in the village of Emmaus. The risen Lord drew near to them, their eyes holden that they should not know Him. He asked the reason of their sadness, as they talked by the way. With astonishment they asked, Was He only a stranger in Jerusalem, and had He not heard of the wonderful happenings that had taken place? Our Lord inquired what things. They replied, " Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him. But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done." (Luke 24:19-2119And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. (Luke 24:19‑21)).
They then went on to say that certain of their company had gone to the sepulcher, and had found it empty, and had heard the angel's testimony that the Lord was risen.
As they wended their way to Emmaus, our Lord opened up to them the Scriptures, and showed them how centuries before the Old Testament prophets had foretold that He would suffer, and then enter into His glory. Their hearts burned within them, as they listened to His marvelous unfolding of their Old Testament prophecies; so much so, that they constrained Him to abide with them that night, for the day was far spent. At their humble meal, in the breaking of bread', He was made known to them. Did they note, we wonder, the scars in His hands? They recognized Him with a deep thrill of joy, and then just when they had recognized Him, He vanished out of their sight.
Once they knew that the Lord was risen, everything was changed for them. In sadness they began their long walk to Emmaus, troubled and perplexed; in joy and Î glad assurance they retraced their steps to Jerusalem to share the good news with the eleven disciples, only to hear that the Lord had already appeared to Simon.