The Road to Emmaus: Summary and Meaning

In the Gospel of Luke, the Risen Jesus appeared to two disciples traveling on the road to the village of Emmaus outside of Jerusalem (Luke 24:13-35).

A Summary of the Road to Emmaus Story

The two disciples were walking along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus and talking about the passion and death of their Lord Jesus Christ. Then the Risen Jesus himself walked up to the disciples, but they did not recognize him.

The disciples told Jesus about all that had happened including the stories from the other disciples about the empty tomb. Jesus responded by calling them foolish for not understanding the Scriptures, which said the Messiah to suffer before entering into his glory.

Jesus walked ahead of the disciples, but they asked him to stay. Then he broke bread with them and suddenly they recognized him.

The Meaning of the Road to Emmaus Story

This event has been such a great inspiration for Christians throughout history. Many people have drawn connections between Catholic celebration of the Mass, which features both the reading and explanation of the Scripture (Liturgy of the Word) and the breaking of bread (Liturgy of the Eucharist).

The disciples' reflection on the events after Jesus disappears say much about how we are to encounter Christ today:

1. Scripture

"They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?'" (Luke 24:32)

Turn to the Scriptures with an open heart and let the Lord open them up to you.

2. Eucharist

"Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread." (Luke 24:35)

If you want to know Jesus and encounter him today, celebrate the breaking of the bread with other Christians in church. Christ is present in the Eucharist.

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[Amazed]

...and my eyes were open! How do we remember Jesus.? Scripture and breaking of bread, Eucharist.

[yeseniamonroy]

Thank you 🙏 I’m going to teach this topic to some adults at church.God bless you!!!

[Uso.slee]

Love your videos. Simple, effective & educational

[cayetey]

Thank you, I’ve been trying to understand this story because I have a quiz coming up but I’m not just learning for my quiz I am learning for myself to know. So thank you for making this interesting and helpful video

[joeu]

How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them,  “Truly,  truly,  I say to you,  unless you eat the flesh of jthe Son of Man and drink his blood,  you khave no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood lhas eternal life,  and mI will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food,  and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood nabides in me,  and I in him. 57 As othe living Father psent me,  and qI live because of the Father,  so whoever feeds on me,  he also will live because of me. 58

[carldaniels]

One point you do NOT mention is that the encounter with Jesus is that both men were walking away from Jerusalem where Jesus was just crucified. These 2 men were the first to walk away from Jerusalem and what they were taught. Jesus, on the other hand met them or walked towards them. In other words - where are you going? Did you loose faith in what I taught you? Shortly after this encounter the men returned to Jerusalem to tell the "11" disciples. This is only my opinion of the passage and of your interpretation.