Luke 24:31

Context

Luke 24:31 is the pivotal moment in the well-known narrative of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Following Jesus' crucifixion, these disciples were walking away from Jerusalem, filled with sorrow and confusion, unable to recognize the resurrected Jesus who joined them (Luke 24:16). Jesus, incognito, had spent hours explaining the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:27). This verse describes the precise moment of recognition during a meal, when Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it (Luke 24:30), a gesture reminiscent of His actions at the Last Supper.

Key Themes

• Divine Revelation and Recognition: The phrase "their eyes were opened, and they knew him" signifies a supernatural act. It wasn't merely physical sight but a spiritual illumination that allowed them to finally comprehend who their companion was. This highlights that recognizing Jesus often requires divine intervention, not just human intellect.
• The Significance of the Breaking of Bread: For many, this act of "breaking bread" is seen as a profound symbol. It connects to Jesus' institution of the Last Supper (Luke 22:19) and foreshadows the early church's practice of communion. It suggests that Christ is often revealed in acts of fellowship, remembrance, and shared worship.
• The Nature of the Resurrected Christ: Jesus' immediate disappearance ("he vanished out of their sight") after being recognized underscores the unique, non-physical limitations of His resurrected body. He was no longer bound by earthly constraints, able to appear and disappear as He willed, a characteristic seen in other post-resurrection appearances (John 20:19).

Linguistic Insights

• "Their eyes were opened": The Greek word for "opened" here is dianoigō (διανοίγω), which implies a complete opening or unlocking, often used in contexts of understanding or revelation (e.g., opening the Scriptures to understanding). It suggests a divine enabling of spiritual sight.
• "They knew him": The Greek verb epiginōskō (ἐπιγινώσκω) means "to recognize fully," "to know thoroughly," or "to acknowledge." It's a stronger form of knowing than simple acquaintance, indicating a deep and complete comprehension of His identity.
• "He vanished out of their sight": The Greek phrase aphantos egeneto (ἄφαντος ἐγένετο) literally means "he became unseen" or "he became invisible." It conveys a sudden, complete disappearance, emphasizing His supernatural nature and the spiritual, rather than purely physical, reality of His post-resurrection presence.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound lessons for believers today:

• Jesus Reveals Himself: Just as He did for the Emmaus disciples, Jesus still reveals Himself to those who seek Him, often in unexpected moments or through familiar actions like the breaking of bread in fellowship or the study of Scripture.
• The Importance of Scripture: The disciples' eyes were opened *after* Jesus had expounded the Scriptures to them. This highlights the vital role of God's Word in preparing our hearts and minds for spiritual understanding and recognizing Christ's presence (Luke 24:45).
• Encountering Christ in Fellowship: The moment of recognition occurred during a shared meal, emphasizing the significance of Christian community and fellowship as a place where Christ's presence can be profoundly experienced.
• Spiritual Sight: Our ability to truly "know" and recognize Jesus is a gift of divine grace. It's not always about intellectual understanding alone, but a spiritual awakening that allows us to see Him in our lives and circumstances.