Luke 24:18

KJV

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the one of them {G1520}, whose {G3739} name {G3686} was Cleopas {G2810}, answering {G611} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Art thou {G4771} only {G3441} a stranger {G3939} in {G1722} Jerusalem {G2419}, and {G2532} hast {G1097} not {G3756} known {G1097} the things which are come to pass {G1096} there {G1722}{G846} in {G1722} these {G5025} days {G2250}?

Complete Jewish Bible

and one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only person staying in Yerushalayim that doesn’t know the things that have been going on there the last few days?”

Berean Standard Bible

One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?”

American Standard Version

And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:18 captures the profound astonishment of Cleopas, one of two disciples walking to Emmaus, as he questions the unrecognized Jesus. He expresses disbelief that any visitor to Jerusalem could be ignorant of the momentous events—the crucifixion and reported resurrection of Jesus—that had just transpired in the city. This poignant interaction highlights the disciples' deep sorrow and confusion, juxtaposed with their spiritual blindness to the very presence of the resurrected Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the pivotal Emmaus Road narrative in [Luke 24](/luke/24 "Luke 24 - The Resurrection and Emmaus Road"). It immediately follows the accounts of the empty tomb and the women's testimony of the resurrection, which the male disciples had dismissed as "idle tales" ([Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Unbelief")). The journey to Emmaus ([Luke 24:13-35](/luke/24-13-35 "Luke 24:13-35 - The Emmaus Road Encounter")) serves as a crucial bridge between the initial reports of the resurrection and Jesus's subsequent appearances to the larger group of apostles in Jerusalem. The disciples' inability to recognize Jesus ([Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - Their Eyes Were Kept")) sets the stage for a profound lesson in divine revelation and the interpretation of Scripture.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described occurred shortly after the Passover festival in Jerusalem, a time when the city would have been teeming with pilgrims from across the Roman world. The crucifixion of Jesus, a public execution of a prominent figure, would have been a widely known and discussed event, especially given the accompanying signs and the recent reports of an empty tomb. Cleopas's question reflects the cultural expectation that any sojourner or "stranger" in Jerusalem during such a momentous period would be acutely aware of the recent happenings. The term "stranger" (πάροικος, _paroikos_) implies a temporary resident or visitor, someone who might not be fully integrated into local affairs but would certainly be aware of major public events.
* **Key Themes:** Cleopas's question contributes significantly to several key themes in [Luke 24](/luke/24 "Luke 24 - The Resurrection and Emmaus Road") and the broader Gospel. One prominent theme is **Spiritual Blindness and Revelation**. Despite walking and conversing with Jesus, the disciples are supernaturally prevented from recognizing Him ([Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - Their Eyes Were Kept from Knowing Him")), illustrating how human understanding can be veiled until God grants insight. Another theme is the **Centrality of Christ's Passion and Resurrection**. The "things which are come to pass" refer to Jesus's crucifixion, death, and resurrection, events so monumental that Cleopas assumes universal knowledge of them. This underscores their cosmic and redemptive significance. Finally, the theme of **Sorrow and Disappointed Hope** is evident, as the disciples lament the perceived failure of their Messiah ([Luke 24:21](/luke/24-21 "Luke 24:21 - Their Disappointed Hope")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **stranger (Greek, _paroikós_):** From G3939, implying one who dwells near but is not a native, a sojourner, or a temporary resident. Cleopas's use of this word highlights his astonishment that even a visitor, unacquainted with the city's daily rhythms, could be ignorant of such widely impactful events. It emphasizes the public and profound nature of Jesus's crucifixion and the subsequent reports.
* **known (Greek, _ginṓskō_):** From G1097, meaning to "know" in a deep, experiential sense, not just intellectually. Cleopas is not merely asking if the stranger has heard rumors, but if he has truly apprehended or understood the significance of what has transpired. This word choice subtly points to the deeper spiritual "knowing" that the disciples themselves lacked concerning Jesus's identity and mission.
* **come to pass (Greek, _gínomai_):** From G1096, a versatile verb meaning "to become," "to come into being," or "to happen." In this context, it refers to the sequence of events surrounding Jesus's passion, death, and reported resurrection. Cleopas's phrasing underscores the reality and finality of these events, which he perceives as undeniable facts that have irrevocably altered the landscape of their hopes and understanding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him":** This phrase introduces Cleopas, identifying him as one of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. His "answering" implies that Jesus had initiated the conversation, likely by asking them what they were discussing. Cleopas's response is an immediate and impassioned reaction to Jesus's apparent ignorance.
* **"Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem":** Cleopas's question is rhetorical, expressing profound disbelief. He implies that it would be virtually impossible for anyone, let alone a "stranger" or temporary visitor, to be unaware of the recent events. This highlights the widespread nature and public impact of Jesus's crucifixion and the subsequent reports of His resurrection in the bustling city during the Passover season.
* **"and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?":** This concluding clause specifies the content of Cleopas's astonishment. The "things which are come to pass" refer to the crucifixion, death, and the reports of Jesus's resurrection and the empty tomb. The phrase "in these days" emphasizes the recency and immediacy of these events, making the stranger's supposed ignorance even more incredible to Cleopas. It underscores the monumental significance these events held for the disciples, even in their state of confusion and despair.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this verse to heighten its impact. **Dramatic Irony** is powerfully at play, as the reader knows the "stranger" is, in fact, the resurrected Jesus, while Cleopas and his companion remain oblivious. This creates a tension between the characters' limited understanding and the divine reality unfolding before them. There is also a strong sense of **Situational Irony**, as the very person who "knows" these events most intimately—because He is the central figure of them—is ironically questioned about His ignorance. Furthermore, Cleopas's question functions as a form of **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking information but expressing utter incredulity and emphasizing the self-evident nature of the events he describes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the human tendency towards spiritual blindness, even in the very presence of divine revelation. The disciples, despite having walked with Jesus for years and heard His prophecies, are so consumed by their grief and preconceived notions of the Messiah that they fail to recognize Him in His resurrected form. This highlights a profound theological truth: true understanding and recognition of God's work often require divine intervention to open our eyes, just as Jesus would later do for them ([Luke 24:31](/luke/24-31 "Luke 24:31 - Their Eyes Were Opened")). It underscores the critical importance of divine revelation in comprehending the significance of Christ's death and resurrection, which are not merely historical events but the very core of God's redemptive plan.

* [Luke 24:16](/luke/24-16 "Luke 24:16 - Their Eyes Were Kept from Knowing Him")
* [John 12:40](/john/12-40 "John 12:40 - Spiritual Blindness")
* [2 Corinthians 3:14](/2_corinthians/3-14 "2 Corinthians 3:14 - The Veiled Mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Cleopas's astonished question serves as a poignant mirror for our own lives. How often do we, like the disciples, walk through seasons of confusion, disappointment, or even despair, lamenting circumstances, while the very presence of God walks alongside us, unrecognized? This verse challenges us to consider our own spiritual perceptiveness. Are we so fixated on our expectations or so clouded by our grief that we fail to see God at work, even when His hand is evident? The Emmaus road experience reminds us that God often meets us in our lowest moments, not to condemn our lack of understanding, but to patiently reveal Himself and His truth. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of openness, recognizing that God's ways are often beyond our immediate comprehension and that His presence can be found in the most unexpected encounters and through the patient unfolding of His Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be walking alongside Jesus, yet failing to recognize His presence or work?**
* **What "things which are come to pass" in your life or the world around you might God be using to reveal deeper truths, even if they initially cause confusion or sorrow?**
* **How might your own expectations or disappointments be hindering your ability to perceive God's activity?**

### FAQ
**Why couldn't Cleopas and the other disciple recognize Jesus?**

Answer: Luke 24:16 explicitly states, "But their eyes were holden that they should not know him." This indicates a supernatural veiling, a divine act that prevented their recognition. While their emotional state (grief, confusion) and perhaps Jesus's resurrected appearance (which may have been subtly different or veiled) played a role, the primary reason was God's sovereign design. This temporary blindness allowed Jesus to teach them from the Scriptures without their preconceived notions of Him interfering, preparing them for a deeper understanding once His identity was revealed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:18, with Cleopas's incredulous question, sets the stage for the profound Christ-centered fulfillment that unfolds on the Emmaus Road. The "things which are come to pass" in Jerusalem—Jesus's suffering, death, and resurrection—are not random events but the very fulfillment of God's ancient promises. Jesus, the unrecognized "stranger," is the ultimate answer to Cleopas's question, for He is the one through whom all things are made known. His subsequent exposition of the Scriptures, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, reveals how His passion and glory were foretold ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). This encounter foreshadows the New Covenant reality where the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of believers to understand the Scriptures and recognize Christ's ongoing presence and work ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit Teaches All Things")). The very "things" that caused Cleopas sorrow and confusion are revealed by Christ Himself to be the glorious climax of redemptive history, through which salvation is offered to all who believe in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 19:25

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.