Cleopas

Cleopas was one of two followers of Jesus who were going from Jerusalem to a village named Emmaus on the day the tomb was found empty, the first day of the week (Luke 24:1; Luke 24:13). As they talked, “Jesus himself came near, and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him” (Luke 24:15–16). When he asked what they were discussing, Cleopas answered, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:18). They told him the things concerning “Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people”, and said, “we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel” (Luke 24:19; Luke 24:21).

Jesus answered, “Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” “Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:26–27). At the table in Emmaus he took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight” (Luke 24:30–31). They returned to Jerusalem that very hour and found the eleven saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:33–34).

Nothing more is told of Cleopas. Scripture does not identify him with Alphaeus, or with the Clopas whose wife Mary stood by the cross (John 19:25).