Luke 24:16

16 But their eyes were holden, that they knew him not.

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 spake together of all these things that had befallen.

15 And it was done, the while they talked, and sought by themselves, Jesus himself approached, and went with them. [And it was done, while they talked, and sought with themselves, and Jesus himself nighing, went with them.]

16 But their eyes were holden, that they knew him not.

17 And he said to them, What be these words, that ye speak together wandering, and ye be sorrowful?

18 And one, whose name was Cleopas, answered, and said [to him], Thou thyself art a pilgrim in Jerusalem [+And one answering, to whom the name was Cleopas, said to him, Thou alone art a pilgrim in Jerusalem], and hast thou not known, what things be done in it in these days?