Episode 606: Cleopas

Cleopas was a follower of Jesus during His earthly ministry and among the few who saw the Lord on the day of His resurrection. Cleopas was not one of the Twelve, but some have surmised that he was one of the seventy (Luke 10). Scripture does not give us any details about Cleopas other than he and an unknown disciple saw the risen Lord on their way to Emmaus.

On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, some women and Jesus’ disciples Peter and John went to the tomb and saw that Jesus’ body was missing (Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–8), but most of Jesus’ followers, including Cleopas, still did not understand exactly what had occurred (John 20:9).

The news that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb traveled quickly, and, that same day, Cleopas and an unnamed companion were discussing the tragedy of Jesus’ death and the mystery of His empty tomb as they traveled from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus, about a seven-mile trip. The Bible says that, “as they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him” (Luke 24:15–16). Jesus had some things to teach the men without the distraction of their excitement and amazement at seeing Him alive.

Additional scriptures referenced include Luke 24:17-36.