Saint Cleopas lived in the 1st Century and was one of Jesus’ 70 disciples. He is said to be Jesus’ uncle, as he was the brother of Saint Joseph, and was the husband of Saint Mary of Cleopas. Saint Cleopas and Saint Mary of Cleopas had three sons, Saint Simon, Saint James the Less and Saint Jude who all became one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles. They also had a daughter named Mary Salome, who is the mother of Saint James the Greater and Saint John who were both, also Apostles. Cleopas was martyred by Jewish authorities, dying in his home which had received Jesus as a guest.

Cleopas was among the few who saw the Lord on the day of His resurrection. Scripture does not give us any details about Cleopas other than he and an unknown disciple saw the risen Lord on their way to Emmaus.

On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, some women and Jesus’ disciples Peter and John went to the tomb and saw that Jesus’ body was missing, but most of Jesus’ followers, including Cleopas, still did not understand exactly what had occurred.

The news that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb travelled quickly, and, that same day, Cleopas and an unnamed companion were discussing the tragedy of Jesus’ death and the mystery of His empty tomb as they travelled from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. The Bible says that “as they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him”. Jesus had some things to teach the men without the distraction of their excitement and amazement at seeing Him alive.

As they walked, Jesus joined the men’s conversation with a question: “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”. Cleopas and his friend stopped, asking Jesus sadly how He could not know what had just happened in Jerusalem. Cleopas’ answer hints at the limits of their understanding, as in his explanation he refers to Jesus as a “prophet,” although one who was “powerful in word and deed before God and all the people” and who they had hoped “was going to redeem Israel”. Cleopas could not fathom the events of that morning, with its stories of angels and an empty tomb.

Jesus chided Cleopas and his companion for their disbelief: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!”. Jesus then spent the remainder of the journey explaining everything that had been said about Him in Scripture, going all the way back to Moses and the prophets. Jesus had often taught indirectly, through parables and comparisons throughout His ministry, but on this occasion, He blessed these two followers with a step-by-step description of the Messiah’s person and mission in a manner they could understand. The men were intrigued and thirsty for more, so, when they reached Emmaus late in the day and it seemed Jesus meant to journey on, they begged Him to come to their house and eat supper with them.

At the table, Jesus took the bread and giving thanks to God, broke it and started to hand it to Cleopas and his friend. It was then that the men were allowed to recognize Jesus; but at the moment of their revelation, Jesus disappeared from their sight. They were amazed they had not recognized Jesus sooner, saying to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”.

In spite of the late hour, Cleopas and his companion immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell Jesus’ disciples what had happened to them. As they spoke to the eleven disciples and the others gathered with them, Jesus appeared in their midst, confirming the testimony that He had risen from the dead.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Aurelia of Macerata
2. Saint Finbar
3. Saint Herman the Cripple
4. Saint Marco Criado
5. Saint Neomisia of Macerata