Devine Scripture

Luke 24:16

What does Luke 24:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:16 means

Their eyes are holden so that they do not recognize Him. This concealment is divinely permitted, not due to poor eyesight. Jesus intends to win their hearts by the Scriptures before He grants sight by recognition. Faith that rests on God’s word will remain firm when sight fades. The restraint also serves to draw out their honest assessment of events, which He will correct. Here we learn that understanding is a gift; clear spiritual perception depends on the Lord’s initiative. He will open what He has sovereignly closed, at the right moment, for their lasting benefit.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But their eyes were not open that they might have knowledge of him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and their eyes were holden so as not to know him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But their eyes were held, that they should not know him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but their eyes were holden so as not to know him.

Context

After Jesus joins the travelers (v. 15), verse 16 explains the narrative tension: recognition is withheld. This sets up a pedagogical journey in which Jesus first questions (vv. 17–19) and then explains Scripture (vv. 25–27). Only later, at the breaking of bread (vv. 30–31), will their eyes be opened. The flow emphasizes priority: Scripture’s testimony to Christ grounds faith, and then experience confirms it. This mirrors the chapter’s pattern in the empty-tomb scene, where angelic word interprets puzzling facts. Readers are being taught how to read all events in light of God’s revealed plan.

v.15And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

v.16This passage

v.17And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 24:31

    And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

  • John 20:14

    When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

  • John 21:4

    But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

  • 2 Kings 6:18

    And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Jehovah, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

  • Mark 16:12

    And after these things he was manifested in another form unto two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.

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