The Road to Emmaus — Bible story for kids

On the day Jesus rose from the dead, two of his disciples left Jerusalem. One was named Cleopas. The other disciple’s name is not given. Together they walked about seven miles toward a village called Emmaus.

As they walked, they talked about everything that had happened. Jesus had been crucified. His tomb had been found empty. Some women said angels had told them he was alive. The disciples tried to understand it all, but they were very sad.

While they talked, Jesus himself came near and walked beside them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. To them, he seemed like a stranger on the road.

Jesus asked, “What are you talking about as you walk?”

The two disciples stopped. Their faces were sad. Cleopas was surprised that this traveler seemed not to know what had happened in Jerusalem.

They told him about Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had been a prophet, mighty in his words and deeds before God and all the people. The disciples had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. But the leaders had handed him over to be sentenced to death and crucified.

Now it was the third day since these things had happened. Some women had gone to the tomb early that morning and had not found Jesus’ body. They said they had seen angels who told them Jesus was alive. Other disciples had gone to the tomb and found it empty, just as the women had said.

Then Jesus began to teach them. He told them that the Christ had to suffer before entering his glory. Beginning with Moses and continuing through the prophets, Jesus explained what the Scriptures said about him.

Step by step, the three travelers continued toward Emmaus. The disciples still did not know who walked beside them. Yet as Jesus opened the Scriptures, something was happening inside their hearts.

When they came near the village, Jesus acted as though he would keep traveling. But the disciples urged him, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is nearly over.”

So Jesus went inside to stay with them.

At the table, Jesus took bread. He blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. At that moment, their eyes were opened. They knew him!

It was Jesus—the risen Lord who had walked with them all along.

Then Jesus vanished from their sight.

The disciples looked at each other in wonder. They remembered how their hearts had burned within them while Jesus spoke on the road and opened the Scriptures.

That very hour, they got up and hurried back to Jerusalem, even though evening had come. There they found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together. The group was saying that the Lord had truly risen and had appeared to Simon.

Cleopas and the other disciple told everyone what had happened on the road. They explained how they had finally recognized Jesus when he broke the bread. Their sadness was gone. Jesus was alive!