📖 Biblical Definition
Emmaus was a small village a Sabbath-day’s journey (about seven miles) from Jerusalem — and the road to Emmaus is where one of the most beautiful resurrection-day scenes unfolds (Luke 24:13-35). Two disciples, Cleopas and his companion, walked the road discouraged on the very day of the Resurrection, talking together of all that had happened. The risen Christ joined them — though their eyes were holden — and beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He "expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (v. 27). They constrained Him to lodge with them at evening; in the breaking of bread their eyes were opened and they knew Him. "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way?"
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
EM'MAUS, n.
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A village of Palestine, about seven and a half miles from Jerusalem, mentioned in Luke 24, where the risen Savior appeared to two disciples journeying thither.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 24:13 — "Two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs."
Luke 24:27 — "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
Luke 24:31 — "Their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight."
Luke 24:32 — "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Bible study has lost the burning heart; it is studying without expecting Christ.
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The Emmaus road is the great hermeneutic of Luke 24. Two depressed disciples are walking away from Jerusalem on the day of the Resurrection — and Christ Himself joins them, walks the seven miles, and opens all the scriptures concerning Himself, beginning at Moses. By the time bread is broken at the table, their hearts are burning, their eyes are opened, and the misery has become mission.
Every saint needs more Emmaus walks. Bible study without Christ at the center is a slow march to discouragement. The Old Testament read without Him is a closed scroll; with Him expounded as the Substance, even sad disciples walk back the seven miles to Jerusalem at full speed. If your heart no longer burns at the Word, ask the risen Lord to do the Emmaus work again. He still walks unrecognized beside the discouraged.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek Emmaous (G1695).
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G1695 — Emmaous — Emmaus; village near Jerusalem
Usage
"Bible study without Christ at the center is the depressed road; Christ at the center is Emmaus."
"When your heart stops burning, ask Him to do the Emmaus walk again."
"Two disciples and a Lord on a road for seven miles — that is the original small group."