Luke 24:17
New International Version
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.

New Living Translation
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.

English Standard Version
And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Berean Standard Bible
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces.

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, "What are these words that you exchange with one another, walking?" And they stood still, looking sad.

King James Bible
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

New King James Version
And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they came to a stop, looking sad.

NASB 1995
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

NASB 1977
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He said to them, “What are these words that you are discussing with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Amplified Bible
Then Jesus asked them, “What are you discussing with one another as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking brokenhearted.

Christian Standard Bible
Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking? ” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

American Standard Version
And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus asked them, "What were you talking about as you walked along?" The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy.

English Revised Version
And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He asked them, "What are you discussing?" They stopped and looked very sad.

Good News Translation
Jesus said to them, "What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?" They stood still, with sad faces.

International Standard Version
He asked them, "What are you discussing with each other as you're walking along?" They stood still and looked gloomy.

Majority Standard Bible
He asked them, ?What are you discussing so intently as you walk along with sadness on your faces??

NET Bible
Then he said to them, "What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?" And they stood still, looking sad.

New Heart English Bible
And he said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Weymouth New Testament
"What is the subject," He asked them, "on which you are talking so earnestly, as you walk?" And they stood still, looking full of sorrow.

World English Bible
He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He said to them, “What [are] these words that you exchange with one another, walking, and you are sad?”

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, "What are these words that you exchange with one another, walking?" And they stood still, looking sad.

Young's Literal Translation
and he said unto them, 'What are these words that ye exchange with one another, walking, and ye are sad?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to them, What words these which, walking about, ye discuss with one another, and are of gloomy aspect?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them, “What are these words, which you are discussing with one another, as you walk and are sad?”

New American Bible
He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast.

New Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to them, What are these words that you are discussing with each other, as you walk, and are sad?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said to them, “What are these matters of which you speak, one with another, as you are walking and are gloomy?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said to them: What matters are these which you are discussing with one another as you walk and are sad?

Godbey New Testament
And He said to them, What speeches are these which you are interchanging to one another, walking along? And they stood still, looking sad.

Haweis New Testament
And he said unto them, What are these discourses that ye interchange among you, as ye are walking, and bear such a face of dejection?

Mace New Testament
and he said to them, what is the subject of your debate in the way, and why do you look so sad?

Weymouth New Testament
"What is the subject," He asked them, "on which you are talking so earnestly, as you walk?" And they stood still, looking full of sorrow.

Worrell New Testament
And He said to them, "What words are these which ye are exchanging one with another, as ye walk?" And they stood still, with sad faces.

Worsley New Testament
And He said unto them, What subjects are these, which ye are discoursing of to one another as ye walk, and why are ye sorrowful?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Road to Emmaus
16But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?”…

Cross References
John 20:15
“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

Mark 16:12-13
After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. / And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

Matthew 16:13-15
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” / They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” / “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”

John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.

John 16:6
Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.

John 16:20-22
Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. / A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. / So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

John 21:17
Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Acts 1:6-7
So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” / Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.

Acts 26:14
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Romans 10:9-10
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. / For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Psalm 42:5
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.

Psalm 43:5
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 77:3
I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah

Psalm 116:3
The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?

and are.

Ezekiel 9:4-6
And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof…

John 16:6,20-22
But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart…

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Communications Conversation Discourses Discussing Earnestly Exchange Exchanging Faces Full Holding Manner Sad Sorrow Stood Subject Talking Together Walk Walking Words
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Communications Conversation Discourses Discussing Earnestly Exchange Exchanging Faces Full Holding Manner Sad Sorrow Stood Subject Talking Together Walk Walking Words
Luke 24
1. Jesus' resurrection is declared by two angels to the women who come to the tomb.
9. They report it to others.
13. Jesus himself appears to the two disciples that went to Emmaus;
36. afterwards he appears to the apostles, and reproves their unbelief;
47. gives them a charge;
49. promises the Holy Spirit;
50. and so ascends into heaven.














What are you discussing
This phrase opens with a question from Jesus, who appears to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The Greek word for "discussing" is "antiballō," which implies a back-and-forth exchange or debate. This suggests that the disciples were deeply engaged in conversation, likely trying to make sense of the recent events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and the reports of His resurrection. The question invites them to articulate their confusion and sorrow, setting the stage for Jesus to reveal deeper truths. In a broader sense, this reflects the Christian call to bring our doubts and discussions to Christ, who provides clarity and understanding.

as you walk along?
The phrase "as you walk along" indicates the setting of the conversation—on a journey. Walking was a common mode of travel in biblical times, and journeys often provided opportunities for reflection and discussion. The road to Emmaus symbolizes the journey of faith, where believers are invited to walk with Jesus, even when they do not recognize His presence. This setting underscores the idea that Christ meets us in our everyday lives and journeys, offering guidance and companionship.

They stood still
The reaction of the disciples, "They stood still," suggests a moment of pause and reflection. The Greek word "histēmi" means to stand or to stop, indicating that the question from Jesus caught them off guard. This pause can be seen as a metaphor for the moments in life when we are confronted with divine questions that challenge our understanding and compel us to stop and consider our beliefs and emotions.

their faces downcast
The phrase "their faces downcast" describes the disciples' emotional state. The Greek word "skythrōpos" conveys sadness, gloom, or dejection. This reflects the deep sorrow and confusion they felt after Jesus' death, as they had hoped He was the Messiah who would redeem Israel. Their downcast faces symbolize the despair that can accompany unmet expectations and the loss of hope. Yet, this moment of sadness is pivotal, as it precedes the revelation of the risen Christ, reminding believers that despair can be transformed into joy through faith in the resurrection.

(17) What manner of communications . . .?--Literally, What are these words that ye bandy to and fro with one another?

And are sad.--The adjective is the same as that used of the hypocrites in Matthew 6:16. The better MSS. make the question stop at "as ye walk," and then add, "And they stood sad in countenance." Over and above the authority for this reading, it has unquestionably the merit of greater dramatic vividness.

Verse 17. - What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? The older authorities make the question stop at "as ye walk," and then add, "and they stood still, looking sad." This change is, of course, of no great importance, but it considerably adds to the vividness of the picture.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He asked
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“What
Τίνες (Tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are you discussing so intently
ἀντιβάλλετε (antiballete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 474: To throw at in opposition, exchange (words) with, perhaps: I compare. From anti and ballo; to bandy.

as you walk along?”
περιπατοῦντες (peripatountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

They stood still,
ἐστάθησαν (estathēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

with sadness on their faces.
σκυθρωποί (skythrōpoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4659: From skuthros and a derivative of optanomai; angry-visaged, i.e. Gloomy or affecting a mournful appearance.


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