1

It states after discussing the apostles that "Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem." Later, the chapter discusses how Jesus had appeared in the breaking of bread, to Simon, as Simon goes to tell the other 11 apostles. This is stated in Luke 24:33-35, as

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread."

So, who was this implied 13th apostle? Am I wrong to interpret an additional apostle existed as implied by this passge about the two and them going to meet the other 11?

Improve this question
3
  • We are not told.
    – Dottard
    Mar 3, 2020 at 3:31
  • So it isn't the person mentioned, Cleopas? The other gospels do not shed light on this part of the story? Could it be implying that anyone following an apostle could be like one?
    – Tristan Beckwith
    Mar 3, 2020 at 4:26
  • 24:9 mentions 'the eleven and all the rest'. Cleopas is clearly not one of the eleven. The other could be one of the eleven, an apostle, or could be 'one of the rest'.
    – Nigel J
    Mar 3, 2020 at 5:36

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

The simple and direct answer to your main question of what was the name of the other "apostle" (disciple) on the Road to Emmaus, is that the bible does not tell us. He remains unnamed.

Now, as part of your back up support, you speculate that there could have been a 13th apostle. In arriving at that speculation I believe you may have made a few assumptions that I don’t believe hold up when considering the proper biblical context.

First, you assumed that the two on the road to Emmaus were apostles, however, nowhere in the text does it state that the two were apostles. Most likely they were disciples of which there were many but they were not apostles.

Second, you assume that the people speaking in Luke 24:34 are the two men from the road to Emmaus when they are reporting what happened; you assume they make the statement “The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared to Simon!”. However, if you consider the full context, this statement was most likely made those who were with the apostles, when the two from the road to Emmaus found them.

So based on this incorrect assumption, you then assumed that verse 35 (“And they told what things were done on the way, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread”) indicates that Simon Peter was also there at the breaking of bread on the road to Emmaus. This cannot be true. There were only two on the road to Emmaus and the bible is clear that the two came and found the 11 (which must include Simon Peter for Judas had hanged himself before this time) and then reported what happened on the road to Emmaus. Again, verse 34 is most likely spoken by the other disciples.

So, the most logical sequence of events per the context:

  • The two from the road, Cleopas and unnamed disciple, seek and find the 11 apostles and other disciples that were with the apostles
  • Those that were with the apostles state that it was true that Jesus was alive and had shown Himself to Simon Peter as other scriptures attest (eg, 1 Corinthians 15:5)
  • Then those two disciples from the road to Emmaus tell the events they experienced.
Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    It's also true that the number 12 was often used to signify the totality of apostles, not necessarily 12 on all occasions. And, in the absence of Judas, that phrase quickly became "the 11" to signify the remaining 11 -- even if all 11 were not literally present. Throughout the 40-day post-resurrection duration, Judas was dead already, while Matthias had not yet been selected. Obviously, "12" was used figuratively for the entire body of apostles rather than 12 specific individuals (e.g. Thomas was designated “one of the 12” (Jn. 20:24), however, there was no “12” at that time).
    – Xeno
    Jun 16, 2021 at 5:20
  • 1
    Good answer +1.
    – Dottard
    Jun 16, 2021 at 11:49

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.