Luke tells us “And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem.” Mark writes, ‘They rushed back to tell the others . . . “ Just this opening statement is highly significant.
καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς,
And {standing up} {in that} the hour returned to Jerusalem and found {gathered together} the twelve and those with them
- (AMP) And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them,
- (BBE) And that very hour they got up and went back to Jerusalem, where the eleven and the others had come together.
- (CEV) So they got right up and returned to Jerusalem. The two disciples found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together.
- (ESV) And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
- (GNB) They got up at once and went back to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven disciples gathered together with the others
- (GW) That same hour they went back to Jerusalem. They found the eleven apostles and those who were with them gathered together.
- (ISV) That same hour they got up and went back to Jerusalem and found the eleven and their companions all together.
- (KJV) And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
- (LITV) And rising up in the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem, and they found the Eleven, and those with them, having been gathered,
- (MKJV) And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem and found assembled the Eleven and those with them.
- (MSG) They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together,
- (NASB) And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them,
- (NLT) And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them,
- (Webster) And they rose the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven assembled, and them that were with them,
- (YLT) And they, having risen up the same hour, turned back to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven, and those with them,
Interesting situation isn’t it. The Greek is idiomatic for “they left straight away” rather than “within an hour”. Standing up they went back to Jerusalem. Stop and think about that. That is amazing. They have left Jerusalem for Emmaus seemingly with their “tail between their legs”, moping their way home. They meet the “Stranger” on the journey and they have supper with Him and while He is breaking the bread they recognise it’s Jesus. He has explained to them from the Law and the Prophets why He had to suffer what He did before He entered His glory. This has caused them to come alive again. Their hearts burned within them and not only that but they longed (burned) to tell the others. Jesus left the moment they got it. They don’t even finished the dinner. They get up from the table after Jesus disappears on them and where do they go? Back to Jerusalem. Amazing! They were heading home to Emmaus it seemed. It was already late at night. They persuaded Jesus not to continue His journey because it was late and dinner time and not only that, it was dangerous to risk attack from wild animals and robbers. But now they have had the Scriptures explained to them and their hearts are full of hope and passion because they understand both the Scriptures and that the Stranger was Jesus they want to head back to Jerusalem. Why? For the sake of the other disciples. They left Jerusalem at the time that everyone was down and discouraged, confused and conflicted. These two know with a surety that Jesus is alive again and furthermore they know why all these things happened. They are busting to tell the others so much that they will risk another three hour journey back to Jerusalem in the middle of the night. Their hearts really were burning within them.
But now think about the story from the Jerusalem end. They went back to Jerusalem WHERE THEY FOUND THE ELEVEN AND THE OTHERS GATHERED TOGETHER. Isn’t that remarkable? Why on earth were they still all together into the middle of the night? What was it that held them together still? When we left them last time they were confused and conflicted and no one really had answers to the deep questions they pondered. But they remained together so that when Cleopas and his mate return they are still there. No one has left. The Twelve have now become the Eleven and added to them are all the other hangers on, of which Cleopas and his mate had been a part. But John 20:24 tells us that Thomas was not with them. So how can Luke say the Eleven were still gathered together? Most of us would think – either Luke or John are inaccurate. You can’t have Thomas missing and still call them The Eleven. Twelve have become Eleven and Thomas was missing so now they have become the Terrified Ten. How can we account for this inaccuracy? I will let that question sit till the next Gem for you to ponder.
It is also curious that in Mark’s short account he tells us, “They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them”. But notice how they greet the two who have come back from Emmaus. They chorus out, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” Yet Mark tells us no one believed them. These two happenings appear to be contradictory. How Mark say “no one believed them” when they say, “The Lord has really risen”? These are the words that many church people like to repeat to each other on Resurrection Morning. “The Lord has risen indeed.” The Greek word [ontos] is the same one the centurion used in Luke 23:47. Certainly, really, it’s true. What has happened since Cleopas and his mate left the group and went to Emmaus only to return again after their experience? Something has happened to reverse the doubts of the disciples expressed in the text before the journey to Emmaus began. We left them confused and bewildered and full of doubt. Now they are certain and convinced that He is alive. Yet prior to the journey they would not believe the things they were being told. Jesus had already appeared to some of them and yet they would not believe. What has changed that? It seems it’s the fact that Jesus has appeared specifically to Peter. This appearance must have taken place after Cleopas and his mate set off for Emmaus and before they return again.
We could be of the impression that no one has moved since the two left. But that is not necessarily so. Seemingly Jesus has appeared separately to Peter in that time. When the two from Emmaus stand up to tell what they know, their testimony is set in strong contrast with what has gone before. There is an emphatic pronoun used to set their testimony apart. Their story is set in contrast with that of the group. Yet the group begin by telling them that Jesus has indeed risen. Sounds convincing doesn’t it? Yet there is something underlyingly wrong here. They make bold statements as the two tell what happened to them, how they recognized Jesus when He broke the bread. But Mark has told us no one believed.
Then Luke appends the next appearance to the strategic order of appearances with the words “As they were saying this . . .” Now the third appearance occurs when they are all together and reassuring one another that Jesus has indeed risen. Yet notice their reaction. They were startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost. That doesn’t fit the “facts” of knowing for sure that Jesus has risen. I think we would have to agree with Mark. It is understandable that they might be startled, but frightened? Come on!!! What is going on here? And notice Jesus words to them.
- “Peace”
- “Why are you frightened?”
- “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?
Yes you are right, it all sounds so confusing. They are confused. Mark says they are confused. They appear to be confused. The text is confused – Jesus tells them “Peace” or does He say “Peace be with you”. There are textual variants at this point. They say they are sure Jesus has risen. Luke says they were startled and frightened. Jesus says they were frightened and full of doubt. I think I will go with Jesus take on it all. What do you think? I think you are probably confused too. Join the confusion.
Time for you to work out what is going on here.
And maybe it is time for you to weigh up your own position in all of this. Oh I don’t mean what you think about this account. Luke has written and arranged it all so it goes deeper than that. Where are you on this continuum of trust in Jesus? Where would you place yourself on the progress chart? Your actual position may surprise you as it did them. Time for you to ponder it. I will leave. (But not like Jesus does.)
Truth divorced from experience will always remain in the realm of doubt.
Robb Thompson
When you doubt God you cut yourself off from His power, doubt replaces trust, and you put down roots of bitterness that make you cynical.
Bob Gass
You don’t have to constantly doubt or defend the faith when you know the Faith Giver.
Anon
If you knew Who walked beside you in every moment you would never doubt yourself again.
Anon
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Anon
You’re not defeated until your doubts and regrets take the place of your dreams.
Bob Gass