Road to Emmaus appearance
A post-resurrection episode in Luke’s Gospel in which Jesus walks with two disciples toward Emmaus, then reveals himself while breaking bread.
Cleopas: A disciple named in Luke’s account of the journey to Emmaus. He is one of the two travelers who recounts the events to the unrecognized Jesus.
Gospel of Luke: A New Testament Gospel presenting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the sole canonical Gospel that narrates the journey to Emmaus.
Luke 24: The final chapter of Luke’s Gospel, recounting the empty tomb and appearances of the risen Jesus. Its verses 13–35 contain the complete Emmaus narrative.
Biblical exegesis: The interpretation of biblical texts through historical, literary, theological, or other methods. Jesus’ exposition of scripture models a way of reading Israel’s texts around his suffering.
Emmaus-Nicopolis: An ancient settlement, also called Emmaus, located west of Jerusalem near modern Latrun. It is one proposed location for Luke’s Emmaus, though its distance conflicts with some textual readings.
Emmaus: A village near Jerusalem named as the destination of two disciples in Luke’s Gospel. The travelers are nearing this village when they invite Jesus to stay with them.
Empty tomb: The tomb found empty by women who came to Jesus’ burial place after the Sabbath. The travelers begin their story amid reports that the tomb was empty.
Synoptic Gospels: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share substantial narrative and literary material. The Emmaus appearance is distinctive to Luke within the Synoptic Gospels.
Christian pilgrimage: A journey to a place of religious significance undertaken as an expression of Christian faith. The road has often been read as an image of spiritual journey and gradual understanding.
Amwas: A village near Latrun associated with the ancient site of Emmaus-Nicopolis. Its identification with Emmaus illustrates the continuing debate over the destination’s location.