Who Were the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus?

[Cow Poke]

I think the traditional explanation was something like - she didn't expect to see Him, and here eyes were filled with tears.

And maybe it was early in the morning and something about the shadows.

[Sparko]

And maybe it was early in the morning and something about the shadows.

Or the sun was behind him and in her eyes. Or he was wearing glasses, like Clark Kent.

[Esther]

Why did she recognise him as the gardener then.

[mossrose]

Why did she recognise him as the gardener then.

I think her eyes were blinded by the Lord, too. Until he spoke to her.

[Esther]

I think the traditional explanation was something like - she didn't expect to see Him, and here eyes were filled with tears.

[Sparko]

Why did she recognise him as the gardener then.

Because she just assumed the gardener would be the only one in the cemetery at that time of day? I dont think she "recognized" him as the gardener, just assumed he was.

[Esther]

Because she just assumed the gardener would be the only one in the cemetery at that time of day? I dont think she "recognized" him as the gardener, just assumed he was.

This makes sense.

[Esther]

I think her eyes were blinded by the Lord, too. Until he spoke to her.

This explanation works well for me thanks.

[lee_merrill]

Well, the pronouns in the Emmaus passage are masculine plural, and "some of our women surprised us" (Luke 24:22) seems to place the disciples in the category of men. And I think Jesus did look different after his resurrection (see John 21:12).

Blessings,
Lee

[Esther]

Well, the pronouns in the Emmaus passage are masculine plural, and "some of our women surprised us" (Luke 24:22) seems to place the disciples in the category of men. And I think Jesus did look different after his resurrection (see John 21:12).

Blessings,
Lee

Thanks.

[seanD]

My question is why couldn't they recognize him? Were they only peripherally in his circle so they didn't know his face well? Did he look different (do they shave the beard off when they bury someone?) or was it something 'magical' where Jesus kept them from recognizing him?

I'm going with cognitive dissonance. It was so profound and unheard of God raising a man from the dead who had died the most disgraceful death imaginable during that time, their mind couldn't register it. His teaching broke the block.

[Sparko]

I'm going with cognitive dissonance. It was so profound and unheard of God raising a man from the dead who had died the most disgraceful death imaginable during that time, their mind couldn't register it. His teaching broke the block.

They were talking about him and didn't recognize him when he showed up because of cognitive dissonance? That is pretty hard to believe. They would have thought he was a ghost or something, but not just not recognize him, unless he looked different, or somehow mentally blocked them from recognizing him.

[seanD]

They were talking about him and didn't recognize him when he showed up because of cognitive dissonance? That is pretty hard to believe. They would have thought he was a ghost or something, but not just not recognize him, unless he looked different, or somehow mentally blocked them from recognizing him.

The mind's a powerful thing. Maybe a combo of shadows and mind block? Notice how he chastises them for their unbelief, which sort of doesn't make sense if he was disguising himself. He was trying to break through that mind block caused by their unbelief. I think folks don't realize (especially skeptics) how the very idea of crucifixion totally cancelled out his claim to messiaship. If it weren't for the resurrection, they would have never believed such a story, which means they never would have invented it that way if it was based on fables and legend. Notice they recognize him only when he broke bread. Could that be when they saw the scars? I don't know, just a theory.