I have often wondered why one of the disciples on the road to Emmaus was named while the other one is simply called, “the other disciple.” Some time ago, I listened to Dr. Tim Gray, President of the Augustine Institute, who offers a short daily reflection on the readings of the day, and from time to time offers longer presentations, had a wonderful video presentation about the Road to Emmaus. (Side note: I highly recommend tuning into Dr. Gray’s reflections; it just might be another place to meet Jesus.)  In this Emmaus presentation, Dr. Gray posed the possibility that Cleopas (the disciple who was named) and his wife, Mary, the wife of Clopas (Cleopas) were the two disciples. Mary, you might recall was one of the women at the crucifixion and is also believed to be one of the women who came to anoint Jesus, along with Mary Magadlane, on Easter Day. If Dr. Gray is right in his assumption, and I tend to believe it very likely that he is correct, that sheds new light on the story of the road to Emmaus. 

Why does it make sense that it was Cleopas and his wife that were going from Jerusalem to Emmaus? First, the fact that Cleopas was named and the other disciple not named, since women at that time were not held in as high regard as men were. In fact, until recent years it was common for a couple to be addressed as Mr. and Mrs. Martin Lysakowski, rather than Martin and Linda Lysakowski. 

Second, when they arrived in Emmaus, the disciples invited Jesus to come stay at “their” home, and He agreed to share a meal with them, the meal that would change their lives forever. Notice it was referred to as “their home.” Men in Biblical times usually did not live together unless they were brothers or members of the same family. Now, they could have been two gay men, but I doubt if they were, since same-sex marriage in those days, and sharing a home, was not ever mentioned as a possibility in scripture.

And why were they leaving Jerusalem? Because they had given up hope, at least Cleopas had. But remember, Mary was at the tomb and knew better. Dr. Gray suggests they may have been arguing along the way, more than “discussing.” Perhaps Mary was trying to persuade Cleopas to stay in Jerusalem to see if Jesus turned up alive! Imagine how surprised  they were when they got to Emmaus and recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread! They knew their hearts were burning within them along the road, but they weren’t sure why. At first, they thought Jesus was some ignorant visitor from another land, not seeming to know what had happened in Jerusalem these last few days. 

Speaking of the presumed ignorance of this stranger, I recall once a pastor of mine gave a beautiful homily about the Road to Emmaus, and he said when these two met Jesus, who asked what they were talking about, they dismissed Him as an uninformed fool. How could He not know what had happened. The church I belonged to at the time was in an area of my city, which I will call Smalltown, and which was populated mostly by immigrants families of Polish and Italian descent. When this pastor quoted the disciples, as saying “How could you not know what happened here,” he added, “where are you from, Smalltown?” Needless to say, most of the congregation was highly insulted, I think I was the only one who appreciated his sense of humor.

This blog is an excerpt from my recent book, Three Mountains A Road, and a Well, pick it up here. Three Mountains, A Road and A Well - Encountering Jesus in Unexpected Places: Lysakowski, Linda: 9798187888634: Amazon.com: Books