The Road to Emmaus

Written by playwright, Nigel Camac

There’s something unforgettable about the moment when uncertainty turns into recognition—when two weary travelers realize the stranger beside them is Jesus Himself. Road to Emmaus invites your congregation into that quiet, breathtaking revelation.

This beautifully crafted short drama follows Cleopas and his companion as they leave Jerusalem in confusion and grief, only to discover that hope has been walking next to them the whole time. With gentle humor, heartfelt dialogue, and Scripture woven throughout, the story opens a door for audiences to see the resurrection through fresh eyes.

Perfect for Easter services, small-stage settings, or any worship moment focused on rediscovering hope, this scene reminds us that Jesus still meets us on the road—in our questions, our sorrow, and our longing to understand.

This script was 

Cast: 4

• Narrator
• Jesus
• Cleopas
• Cleopas' companion

Bible Reference: Luke 24:13-32

Set: bare

Lighting:  standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song:   none

SFX:  none

Costumes:  standard

•  Preferably robes with loose sleeves, so that when Jesus is recognised, Cleopas and his companion can easily hide Jesus with their arms extended 

Props:

•  A few partitions to make the walls of a room. 
• 3 chairs
• A table 
•  A loaf of bread

Special Instructions:

• Whilst the author has used creative license in writing this play, its framework is grounded in Luke 24:13-32. Particularly at the beginning, fictional dialogue is used heavily, but in much of the latter half, I have endeavoured to use the actual Bible text. (two versions have been used; the Living Bible and the New American Standard Bible). In some instances the words have been slightly altered for one of two reasons. Firstly some Scripture has been modified to keep the identity of Jesus a secret until the end of the play (seeing the events as Cleopas and his companion did). Secondly, modifications have been made to assist in the audience’s ease of comprehension. The first line by the Narrator is a good example. Here, for example, the Scripture reads: “That same day, Sunday…” which obviously does not make a lot of sense to an audience to whom no former information has been given.

Time: 7

Sample of script

Cleopas and Companion walk through audience to the front. Cleopas is sullen, deeply emotional. Companion is more fiery and extraverted.

Narrator:
And on Sunday, two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem.

Comp:
I’ll tell you something, Cleopas, I can’t get far enough away from the place now. What, with the Roman soldiers crawling around and that earthquake! Everyone’s fearful and confused… what’s gonna happen next? I just want out.

Cleopas:
It reeks of death and sorrow.

Comp:
It was just the most bloody and brutal and shocking thing I have ever seen. How could anyone want Jesus dead?

Cleopas:
He was a threat, I suppose. (sighs)

Comp:
(Grabs Cleopas’ arm, stopping him)
But how could they condemn the man? He dealt justly and with kindness.
(carried away)
You know, when I was with Him, I felt like, like…

Cleopas:
Like you belonged. Like everything was going to be alright after all. As though…

Comp:
As though you were really known—totally accepted! His gaze penetrated my false front, and even though he seemed to be able to see all the parts I’d rather hide, yet He loved me.

Cleopas:
Yeh.
(both caught up in thought)

Comp (angry):
But what about that pack of blood-thirsty vultures at his trial!

Cleopas:
They were clutching at straws, any excuse they could find.

They begin walking.

Comp:
You know, I was there just recently when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead! Phew, that was something! But now, every time I close my eyes, all I see is Jesus’ lifeless, mutilated body slumped on that cross.

Cleopas:
And now some women reckon Jesus is alive.

Comp:
Wishful thinking! Jesus was well and truly dead last I saw.

Cleopas:
It just seems strange that our friends couldn’t find His body in the tomb.

Comp:
To me, the whole thing’s madness. His body was probably stolen or something. Better just to accept the fact that He’s dead and gone. Let’s try to get our lives back to normal again.

Jesus enters stage, speaking.

Jesus:
You seem to be in a deep discussion about something. What are you so concerned about?

Cleopas and Companion stop and hang their heads sullenly.

Want to see how the story unfolds? Get the complete script and bring this powerful moment to your stage.