Luke Chapter 24 · Verse 31
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῶν
he
G846
αὐτῶν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διηνοίχθησαν
were opened
G1272
διηνοίχθησαν
were opened
Strong's:
G1272
Word #:
3 of 14
to open thoroughly, literally (as a first-born) or figuratively (to expound)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοὶ
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοὶ
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
5 of 14
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπέγνωσαν
they knew
G1921
ἐπέγνωσαν
they knew
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
7 of 14
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
αὐτῶν
he
G846
αὐτῶν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν
he
G846
αὐτῶν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐγένετο
vanished
G1096
ἐγένετο
vanished
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 14
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Historical Context
The Emmaus road story illustrates how resurrection appearances convinced skeptical disciples. These were not hallucinations but physical encounters with the risen Christ (Luke 24:39-43, He ate fish; John 20:27, Thomas touched wounds). Yet His body was transformed—He could appear and disappear, pass through locked doors, travel instantly. Paul later explains resurrection bodies as 'spiritual bodies' (1 Corinthians 15:44)—physical yet glorified, continuous with earthly bodies yet transformed. This event shows that spiritual understanding requires divine illumination, not merely intellectual study.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the divine opening of eyes teach about the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in spiritual understanding?
- How does Jesus' resurrection body provide hope and preview of believers' future resurrection bodies?
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus is recognized: 'And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight' (αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν). The passive 'diēnoichthēsan' (διηνοίχθησαν, were opened) indicates divine action—God opened their eyes. The verb 'epiginōskō' (ἐπέγνωσαν, knew/recognized) suggests full recognition. Recognition came during bread-breaking (v.30), possibly echoing the Last Supper or revealing Jesus' distinctive manner. His immediate vanishing (ἄφαντος ἐγένετο, became invisible) demonstrates His resurrection body's unique properties—physical yet not bound by normal physical limitations (cf. v.37, John 20:19, 26).