Luke 24:17
New International Version
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.

New Living Translation
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.

English Standard Version
And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Berean Standard Bible
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces.

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, “What are these words that you⁺ exchange with one another, walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

King James Bible
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

New King James Version
And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they came to a stop, looking sad.

NASB 1995
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

NASB 1977
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are discussing with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Amplified Bible
Then Jesus asked them, “What are you discussing with one another as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking brokenhearted.

Berean Annotated Bible
He asked them, “What are you⁺ discussing so intently as you walk along? They stood still, with sadness on their faces.

Christian Standard Bible
Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking? ” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

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

Contemporary English Version
Jesus asked them, "What were you talking about as you walked along?" The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He asked them, "What are you discussing?" They stopped and looked very sad.

Good News Translation
Jesus said to them, "What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?" They stood still, with sad faces.

International Standard Version
He asked them, "What are you discussing with each other as you're walking along?" They stood still and looked gloomy.

NET Bible
Then he said to them, "What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?" And they stood still, looking sad.

New Heart English Bible
And he said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Weymouth New Testament
"What is the subject," He asked them, "on which you are talking so earnestly, as you walk?" And they stood still, looking full of sorrow.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along with sadness on your faces?”

World English Bible
He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He said to them, “What [are] these words that you exchange with one another, walking, and you are sad?”

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, “What are these words that you⁺ exchange with one another, walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Young's Literal Translation
and he said unto them, 'What are these words that ye exchange with one another, walking, and ye are sad?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to them, What words these which, walking about, ye discuss with one another, and are of gloomy aspect?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them, “What are these words, which you are discussing with one another, as you walk and are sad?”

New American Bible
He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast.

New Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to them, What are these words that you are discussing with each other, as you walk, and are sad?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said to them, “What are these matters of which you speak, one with another, as you are walking and are gloomy?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said to them: What matters are these which you are discussing with one another as you walk and are sad?

Godbey New Testament
And He said to them, What speeches are these which you are interchanging to one another, walking along? And they stood still, looking sad.

Haweis New Testament
And he said unto them, What are these discourses that ye interchange among you, as ye are walking, and bear such a face of dejection?

Mace New Testament
and he said to them, what is the subject of your debate in the way, and why do you look so sad?

Weymouth New Testament
"What is the subject," He asked them, "on which you are talking so earnestly, as you walk?" And they stood still, looking full of sorrow.

Worrell New Testament
And He said to them, "What words are these which ye are exchanging one with another, as ye walk?" And they stood still, with sad faces.

Worsley New Testament
And He said unto them, What subjects are these, which ye are discoursing of to one another as ye walk, and why are ye sorrowful?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Road to Emmaus
16But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?”…

Cross References
He asked them,

Mark 8:27
Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say I am?”

Matthew 16:13
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

John 1:38
Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”
“What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

Mark 9:33-34
Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” / But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

Genesis 45:24
Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!”

Deuteronomy 6:7
And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
They stood still,

Acts 9:7
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone.

Matthew 28:4
The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.

John 18:6
When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
with sadness on their faces.

Nehemiah 2:2
so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear

Genesis 40:7
So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so downcast today?”

1 Samuel 1:18
“May your maidservant find favor with you,” said Hannah. Then she went on her way, and she began to eat, and her face was no longer downcast.
John 20:15
“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

Mark 16:12-13
After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. / And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.

John 16:6
Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?

and are.

Ezekiel 9:4-6
And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof…

John 16:6,20-22
But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart…

Jump to Previous
Communications Conversation Discourses Discussing Earnestly Exchange Exchanging Faces Full Holding Manner Sad Sorrow Stood Subject Talking Together Walk Walking Words
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Communications Conversation Discourses Discussing Earnestly Exchange Exchanging Faces Full Holding Manner Sad Sorrow Stood Subject Talking Together Walk Walking Words
Luke 24
1. Jesus' resurrection is declared by two angels to the women who come to the tomb.
9. They report it to others.
13. Jesus himself appears to the two disciples that went to Emmaus;
36. afterwards he appears to the apostles, and reproves their unbelief;
47. gives them a charge;
49. promises the Holy Spirit;
50. and so ascends into heaven.












He asked them,
This phrase highlights Jesus' approachability and His interest in the concerns of His followers. It reflects His role as a teacher and a shepherd who engages with His disciples. In the context of the resurrection, it underscores His desire to reveal truth and provide comfort. This interaction is reminiscent of God's inquiries in the Old Testament, such as when God asked Adam, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9), inviting reflection and dialogue.

“What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
This question serves to draw out the disciples' thoughts and emotions, allowing them to express their confusion and grief. It is a teaching moment, as Jesus often used questions to lead His followers to deeper understanding. The disciples' journey to Emmaus symbolizes the journey of faith, where believers grapple with understanding God's plan. The intensity of their discussion indicates the profound impact of recent events, namely Jesus' crucifixion and the reports of His resurrection. This moment parallels other scriptural instances where God engages with His people during pivotal moments, such as the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6).

They stood still,
Their pause signifies a moment of reflection and the weight of their emotions. It indicates the gravity of the situation and their struggle to comprehend the events that have transpired. This stillness can be seen as a metaphor for the pause in understanding that often accompanies moments of crisis or revelation in the believer's life.

with sadness on their faces.
The disciples' sadness reflects their lack of understanding of the resurrection and the fulfillment of prophecy. It highlights the human tendency to focus on immediate circumstances rather than the broader divine plan. This moment of sorrow is contrasted with the joy that comes from recognizing the risen Christ, as seen later in the chapter. Their sadness also fulfills the prophecy of the suffering Messiah, as foretold in Isaiah 53, and sets the stage for the revelation of Jesus' victory over death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The resurrected Christ who appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, engaging them in conversation to reveal Himself and the fulfillment of Scripture.

2. Cleopas and the Other Disciple
Two followers of Jesus who are traveling to Emmaus, discussing the recent events of Jesus' crucifixion and the reports of His resurrection.

3. The Road to Emmaus
A significant journey where Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples, symbolizing the journey from doubt to faith.

4. Jerusalem
The city from which the disciples are departing, representing the center of Jewish faith and the location of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

5. The Resurrection
The pivotal event that the disciples are struggling to understand, which is central to Christian faith and hope.
Teaching Points
Understanding Through Scripture
Jesus uses Scripture to reveal Himself. We should immerse ourselves in the Bible to understand God's plan and recognize Jesus in our lives.

Recognizing Jesus in Our Journey
Like the disciples, we may not always recognize Jesus walking with us. We should be open to His presence and guidance in our daily lives.

Dealing with Doubt and Sadness
The disciples' sadness reflects their misunderstanding. We should bring our doubts and emotions to Jesus, allowing Him to transform them with truth.

The Importance of Community
The disciples were discussing together, showing the value of community in processing faith and understanding God's work.

Hope in the Resurrection
The resurrection is central to our faith, providing hope and assurance of God's victory over sin and death.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Luke 24:17?

2. How does Luke 24:17 encourage us to discuss our faith with others?

3. What can we learn from Jesus' approach in Luke 24:17 about listening?

4. How does Luke 24:17 connect to Proverbs 27:17 on mutual encouragement?

5. How can we apply Jesus' questioning method in Luke 24:17 to evangelism?

6. What does "What are you discussing?" teach about engaging in meaningful conversations?

7. What is the significance of Jesus asking, "What is this conversation you are having?" in Luke 24:17?

8. How does Luke 24:17 challenge our understanding of Jesus' awareness of human emotions and conversations?

9. Why were the disciples unable to recognize Jesus in Luke 24:17, and what does this imply?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 24?

11. What happened on the road to Emmaus with Jesus?

12. Who was Cleopas in the Bible?

13. How can parents effectively navigate their teenager's challenges?

14. If Jesus was physically resurrected, why did His disciples sometimes fail to recognize Him (Luke 24:15-16, John 20:14)?
What Does Luke 24:17 Mean
He asked them

- Jesus, now risen, initiates the conversation. From Eden onward God has sought people with questions that invite honesty rather than condemnation (Genesis 3:9; John 1:38; Luke 24:38).

- His inquiry shows personal care. He does not barge in with lectures but graciously draws out their hearts, modeling how the Lord still engages us (Psalm 139:23–24).

- The fact that the travelers do not recognize Him (Luke 24:16) highlights His patience; He meets them where they are, even in confusion.


What are you discussing so intently

- Their dialogue is earnest. When life feels shattered, conversation often circles around loss; Christ walks into that very space (Malachi 3:16).

- By asking, He invites them to voice their disappointments—a first step toward hope (Psalm 62:8).

- Notice how sharp their focus is: “so intently.” Grief can consume attention, narrowing vision until only sorrow is seen (Proverbs 13:12).


As you walk along?

- The words locate the discussion on a journey. Scripture often links walking with the course of life (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 5:15–16).

- Jesus listens while they move; He does not wait for perfection before joining the path.

- Their road to Emmaus pictures how the risen Lord accompanies believers even when they head the wrong direction (Psalm 23:4).


They stood still

- His simple question stops them in their tracks—conversation freezes, feet halt. The living Word has power to arrest motion and command attention (Psalm 46:10).

- Pausing creates space for reflection. Many spiritual breakthroughs begin when God interrupts our routine (Acts 9:3–4).


With sadness on their faces

- The crucifixion shattered their expectations of redemption (Luke 24:21). Sorrow is written on their countenance; the heart always overflows to the face (Nehemiah 2:2; John 20:11).

- Jesus perceives their grief before revealing His identity, proving He is “a Man of sorrows” acquainted with our own (Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 4:15).

- Their downcast look sets the stage for joy. The darker the valley, the brighter the sunrise that follows (Psalm 30:5).


summary

Luke 24:17 shows the risen Christ gently initiating contact, probing conversation, and entering heartache. He walks with confused disciples, halts them with a loving question, and acknowledges their sorrow. The verse reminds us that Jesus still meets believers on life’s road, invites transparent dialogue, slows us to listen, and prepares to turn sadness into resurrection joy.

(17) What manner of communications . . .?--Literally, What are these words that ye bandy to and fro with one another?

And are sad.--The adjective is the same as that used of the hypocrites in Matthew 6:16. The better MSS. make the question stop at "as ye walk," and then add, "And they stood sad in countenance." Over and above the authority for this reading, it has unquestionably the merit of greater dramatic vividness.

Verse 17. - What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? The older authorities make the question stop at "as ye walk," and then add, "and they stood still, looking sad." This change is, of course, of no great importance, but it considerably adds to the vividness of the picture.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He asked
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“What
Τίνες (Tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are you discussing so intently
ἀντιβάλλετε (antiballete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 474: To throw at in opposition, exchange (words) with, perhaps: I compare. From anti and ballo; to bandy.

as you walk along?”
περιπατοῦντες (peripatountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

They stood still,
ἐστάθησαν (estathēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

with sadness on their faces.
σκυθρωποί (skythrōpoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4659: From skuthros and a derivative of optanomai; angry-visaged, i.e. Gloomy or affecting a mournful appearance.


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NT Gospels: Luke 24:17 He said to them What are you (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 24:16
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