Devine Scripture

Luke 24:18

What does Luke 24:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:18 means

Cleopas expresses surprise that this apparent stranger is ignorant of what has happened in Jerusalem. His response confirms that Jesus’ death and the subsequent reports were public knowledge. The events were not hidden in a corner; all Jerusalem buzzed with the news. Ironically, the One of whom they speak is the only One who fully understands them. Their question reveals their assumption: anyone in Jerusalem must see these events as they do—tragedy and confusion. Yet Jesus will soon reinterpret everything through the lens of divine necessity and fulfillment, showing that familiarity with facts is not the same as understanding.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then stopping, and looking sadly at him, one of them, named Cleopas, said to him, Are you the only man living in Jerusalem who has not had news of the things which have taken place there at this time?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the one, whose name was Cleopas, answering, said unto him, `Art thou alone such a stranger in Jerusalem, that thou hast not known the things that came to pass in it in these days?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And one [of them], named Cleopas, answering said to him, Thou sojournest alone in Jerusalem, and dost not know what has taken place in it in these days?

Context

After Jesus’ inquiry exposes their sadness (v. 17), verse 18 captures the disciples’ amazement at His seeming ignorance. This paves the way for their full recounting in verses 19–24. Luke uses their perspective to lay out the basic storyline—Jesus’ prophetic ministry, His crucifixion by leaders, dashed hopes, and puzzling reports of the empty tomb and angels. The narrative is preparing for a decisive correction: they have facts but lack the framework. In verses 25–27, Jesus will supply that framework from Moses and the prophets, demonstrating how Scripture integrates the events into God’s saving plan.

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.

v.18This passage

v.19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

Cross references

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

  • John 19:25

    These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

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