Luke 24:16

16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

Luke 24:16 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 24:16

But their eyes were holden,
&c] The Ethiopic version adds, "and were covered"; and the Arabic version renders it, "now he had veiled their eyes", ascribing it to Christ; and the Persic version renders it, "and the eyes of the disciples were shut": to me it seems, that their eyes: were held downwards; or they kept looking upon the ground as they walked, which was a posture suitable to their melancholy spirits; and there might be a peculiar influence of divine power and providence, so disposing them, that they did not look up to Christ their new fellow traveller, who walked on with them: and this was so ordered, that they should not know him; that so they might not be surprised at once, as they would have been, had they looked at him, and discerned who he was; and that they might converse the more freely with him; and that he might convince them of their stupidity and unbelief, by proper arguments.

Luke 24:16 In-Context

14 and they were conversing with one another about all these [things] that had happened.

15 And it happened that while they were conversing, and discussing, Jesus himself also approached [and] began to go along with them,

16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

17 And he said to them, "What [are] these matters that you are discussing with one another [as you] are walking along?" And they stood still, looking sad.

18 And one [of them], {named} Cleopas, answered [and] said to him, "[Are] you the only one living near Jerusalem and not knowing the things that have happened in it in these days?"