Cleopas is a figure mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. He is one of two disciples who encountered the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus after Jesus’ crucifixion (Luke 24:13-32). Let’s take a deep dive into what the Bible reveals about Cleopas:
The Road to Emmaus Appearance
The story of Cleopas appears in Luke 24:13-32. In this passage, Luke describes how Cleopas and another disciple were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. As they were walking, Jesus came up beside them, but they did not recognize him (Luke 24:15-16).
Jesus asked the disciples what they were discussing so intently as they walked. Cleopas explained how Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in deed and word who they had hoped would redeem Israel, had been crucified. It was now the third day since his crucifixion, and some women had found his tomb empty and seen angels who said Jesus was alive. However, no one had actually seen Jesus themselves (Luke 24:19-24).
Jesus rebuked them as foolish for not believing the prophets who said the Messiah would suffer and then enter into his glory. Beginning with Moses and the Prophets, Jesus explained all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached Emmaus, Jesus acted as if he was going farther, but the disciples urged him to stay with them, as it was nearly evening (Luke 24:25-29).
When Jesus sat down to eat with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. At this action, their eyes were opened and they recognized him as the risen Christ. But then Jesus immediately vanished from their sight (Luke 24:30-31).
The disciples reflected on how their hearts had burned within them as the stranger spoke to them on the road and taught them the Scriptures. They got up immediately and returned to Jerusalem to tell the eleven disciples and others with them that they had seen the risen Lord (Luke 24:32-35).
Cleopas’ Identity
The Bible gives some clues about who Cleopas was, but does not conclusively identify him:
- His name Cleopas is a shortened form of Cleopatros, which means “glory of the father” in Greek.
- He was one of the two disciples traveling to Emmaus, with an unnamed companion.
- Cleopas was not one of the eleven remaining apostles, as he returned to tell them he had seen Jesus.
- He must have been a close follower of Jesus to have been discussing his death and resurrection.
- Some scholars identify him with Clopas, another figure in John 19:25.
Based on these details, here are some of the major theories on who Cleopas was:
- Brother of Joseph/Mary’s Relative – In John 19:25, a man named Clopas is described as the husband of one of the Marys who stood by the cross. Some believe this Clopas was the same person as Cleopas. If so, he could have been the brother of Joseph and a relative of Mary.
- Disciple & Witness of Jesus – The fact that Cleopas walked with Jesus and learned from him on the Emmaus road indicates he was a devoted follower and witness to Jesus’ ministry.
- Member of the Seventy Disciples – Some traditions identify Cleopas as one of the 70 disciples Jesus commissioned and sent out in Luke 10:1-24.
- Father of Symeon/Simon – In early church histories, Cleopas is associated as the father of Symeon who succeeded James as head of the Jerusalem church.
While these traditions provide possible identities, the Bible itself does not provide Cleopas’ lineage or precisely who he was. The focus of his story remains on his interaction with the risen Christ.
Why Cleopas Matters
Though Cleopas is mentioned briefly, his story gives insight about Jesus and the resurrection:
- Cleopas was unaware the stranger he walked with was Jesus – showing Jesus’ resurrected body was not always instantly recognizable, even to his followers (Luke 24:16).
- It highlights Jesus’ patience in re-teaching disciples who lacked understanding, just as he had during his earthly ministry (Luke 24:25-27).
- Jesus’ breaking of the bread invoked the Last Supper and helped Cleopas finally recognize him, showing communion’s importance (Luke 24:30-31).
- How hearts “burned” as Jesus opened Scripture – affirming the Spirit’s illuminating role in understanding God’s Word (Luke 24:32).
- The risen Jesus was not a ghost or vision, but could eat physical food like anyone else (Luke 24:30,42-43).
- Jesus accompanied them but did not overwhelm or impose, allowing space for their free exercise of faith in inviting him to stay (Luke 24:28-29).
- Jesus vanished from human sight, previewing his ascension and the disappearance of his physical presence (Luke 24:31).
- Cleopas and friend immediately went to tell others, becoming witnesses of the resurrection themselves (Luke 24:33-35).
This fascinating account of Cleopas’ encounter gives insight into Jesus’ caring, patient, and insightful teaching style even after his resurrection. It shows Christ’s desire to meet with and instruct those trying to understand his death. And it provides another perspective to the varied experiences of those who met the risen Lord.
While Cleopas fades into biblical history after this, his impact is important. His testimony as one who walked with Jesus became part of the apostolic witness to Christ’s resurrection that spread the gospel across the world.
Other Cleopases in the New Testament
A few other men named Cleopas or Clopas appear in the New Testament:
- Cleopas the brother of Joseph (John 19:25) – As mentioned earlier, some identify this man as the same Cleopas in Luke 24.
- Clopas the father of Simeon Peter (Acts 15:14) – Simeon Peter is believed to be the second bishop of Jerusalem after James the brother of Jesus.
- Clopas, a member of the Jerusalem church (1 Corinthians 9:5) – Paul mentions those he calls “the brothers of the Lord” and Cephas/Peter who had believing wives that accompanied them.
While these may be entirely different men sharing the common name Cleopas/Clopas, some connect them through the traditions already mentioned.
Lessons from Cleopas
Though Cleopas’ biblical role was minor, important lessons emerge from his story that remain relevant today:
- Stay open to re-learning truth – Even devout followers sometimes need patience and re-teaching to grow in understanding God’s truth.
- Invite Jesus into ordinary life – Cleopas and friend invited Christ to stay with them through a simple meal and conversation.
- Search the Scriptures – As Jesus highlighted, all Scripture points to him. Seeing Christ in the Word takes Spirit-opened eyes.
- Let your heart burn for Jesus – His Spirit kindles our hearts as we behold the wonder of who Christ is.
- Go and tell others – Once they met Jesus personally, the disciples immediately went to share the good news.
Cleopas went from confusion and despair to hope and belief through a divine encounter. His story reminds us Jesus meets us in the midst of our earthly pilgrimages to teach, correct, and reveal himself to willing hearts and minds.
References to Cleopas in Other Early Literature
Aside from the Bible, Cleopas is also mentioned in a few early church writings providing additional legends about him:
- The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (600-625 AD) identifies Cleopas as the brother of Joseph, Mary’s husband.
- In the Contendings of the Apostles (300 AD), Cleopas is depicted in a debate with the philosopher Simon Magus in Rome before the emperor Nero.
- The Acts of Pilate (300-400 AD) names Cleopas as one of two messengers sent from Jerusalem to recount the crucifixion events to Pilate.
- According to the Book of the Bee (1222 AD), Cleopas died while preaching the gospel in Lydda and was buried there with a eulogy from Simon Peter.
These apocryphal texts embellished Cleopas’ life but confirm early interest in him as a follower of Christ. However, only Luke’s eyewitness biblical account preserves the verifiable details of his Emmaus road encounter with Jesus.
Significance of the Village of Emmaus
Emmaus plays an important role as the location where Cleopas and friend encountered Jesus after his resurrection. Let’s explore some key facts about this village:
- Its name Emmaus means “warm springs” or “baths” in Hebrew.
- It was located about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Jerusalem.
- Emmaus was allotted to the tribe of Benjamin after the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 18:26).
- By the first century, Emmaus had become a small Jewish village.
- Archeologists differ on proposed locations, but likely candidates are el-Kubeibeh, Imwas, or nearby Colonia.
- Jesus met and revealed himself to disciples there after his resurrection.
- Emmaus later became a Christian center in the early Byzantine period.
Though just a humble village off a road leading from Jerusalem, its encounter with the risen Christ immortalized Emmaus in one of the most gripping post-resurrection accounts. The village marks the spot where the eyes of Cleopas and his friend were spiritually opened to recognize Jesus.
Summary of Biblical Facts on Cleopas
In summary, here are the key biblical facts to know about Cleopas:
- Cleopas was the disciple who walked with another follower on the road to Emmaus after Jesus’ resurrection.
- He was unaware the stranger who joined them was actually the resurrected Jesus.
- Cleopas explained their hope that Jesus had been the redeemer of Israel before his crucifixion.
- Jesus rebuked their unbelief and opened the Scriptures about himself as they walked.
- Only when Jesus blessed and broke bread later did Cleopas recognize him as the risen Lord.
- Jesus then vanished from their sight as Cleopas realized who he was.
- Cleopas and friend immediately went to tell the eleven apostles that Jesus was alive.
- The Bible focuses more on this narrative than Cleopas’ exact identity.
- Speculation suggests Cleopas was a relative of Jesus or a disciple, but the Bible does not confirm this.
This Christophany on the Emmaus road stands as one of the most striking stories of spiritual eyes being opened to the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. Cleopas played the key role of the questioning yet faithful disciple who encountered the risen Lord in a remarkable way that changed his life forever.
Conclusion
In the few verses he appears, Cleopas provides intriguing glimpses into the life of an early follower of Christ. His experience with the resurrected Jesus highlights key truths about Christ’s patience in teaching, his insight into Scripture, the manner of his resurrected body, and his disappearance from the earth. Most importantly, it offers another eyewitness account to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection – the foundation of the Christian gospel. Cleopas connects readers to the wonder those first believers experienced as they encountered their risen Teacher and Lord. His Emmaus road testimony rings down through the centuries as a model of divine revelation burning within devoted hearts.
