The Supper at Emmaus

The purpose of the supper is to feed the travelers, but it is also the moment when Christ chooses to reveal to his disciples, by blessing and breaking bread, that he is the risen Lord.

The Supper at Emmaus

In the week following the death of Christ, two of his disciples happened to be walking to the village of Emmaus, not- far from Jerusalem. On the way, another traveler joined them and began talking about things concerning Jesus, though he seemed to be unaware of his Passion and death. The disciples told the traveler of their hope that Jesus would free Israel, and of their disappointment that, three days after his death, nothing seemed to have happened. Moreover, they could not explain why, when some women had gone to his tomb three days after his death, they had found it empty. The traveler then reminded them of the prophecies that had foretold what would happen to Christ. When they reached the village, he made to continue on his way, but they urged him to stay with them since it was almost evening. When the traveling companions were seated at the table and were preparing to eat supper together, the traveler took the bread and blessed, broke, and distributed it, thus revealing his true identity as Jesus Christ. As soon as they recognized him, he disappeared from their sight. All they could do was return to Jerusalem to tell the others what had happened and how Jesus had revealed himself by blessing and breaking bread.

Sources

Luke 24:29-33

Iconography

This subject entered Christian iconography comparatively late (around the 12th century) and has often been used for its Eucharistic content and its reference to the Resurrection. It was a particular favorite of 16th-cenrury Venetian artists and later of 17th-century artists across Europe

Pontormo, The Supper at Emmaus, 1525.  Florence, Uffizi.

·    The wine provides a dear reference not only to the blood of Christ in the Eucharist but also to its use as a drink that encourages the recognition and contemplation of the truth.

·         In the early 16th century, individual diners did not always have their own plates: sometimes all the diners shared a single plate. In this case, the plate is suggestive of the communion paten.

·         Daring the Supper at Emmaus, the traveling companions have gathered around Jesus. They watch in amazement as he reveals his true identity by repeating the blessing of bread that he had performed during the Last Supper.

·         As in the Last Supper, the bread here represents the body of Christ.