(A special teaching for married couples)

Do you know Clopa/Clopas (Kleopa/Cleopas) in the Bible? And do you also know his wife?
Let us begin with the wife of Clopas before we look at Clopas himself.

Scripture mentions her clearly:

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, MARY THE WIFE OF CLOPAS, and Mary Magdalene.”
(John 19:25)

Mary the wife of Clopas was a faithful follower of Jesus. The reason Scripture identifies her by her husband’s name is because her husband’s character was honorable. If Clopas had been an immoral or ungodly man, the Bible would not have honored him by naming his wife after him. His good reputation made his name respectable.

WHO WAS CLOPAS/CLEOPAS?

Clopas (or Cleopas) was one of the two disciples to whom the risen Christ appeared on the road to Emmaus. While they were conversing about the death of Jesus, the resurrected Lord joined them, though they did not recognize Him at first.

“Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem…”
(Luke 24:13–16)

“…Then one whose name was CLEOPAS answered and said to Him, ‘Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?’”
(Luke 24:18)

Cleopas was not one of the twelve apostles, but he was a devoted disciple who loved Christ deeply. What is even more beautiful is that his wife was also a disciple, present at the crucifixion with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus.

This shows us a couple united in devotion, united in faith, and united in following Jesus.

WHAT MADE CLOPAS AND HIS WIFE SPECIAL?

While Peter, John, and the other apostles had not yet encountered the risen Lord, Clopas and his companion were the first men to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. Likewise, Mary the wife of Clopas was among the women who first visited the tomb and received the angelic announcement that Jesus was alive.

Even though Peter and John ran to the tomb, they did not see Jesus at first —
but Clopas saw Him on the road, and walked with Him, and even shared a meal with Him.

“Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
(Luke 24:31)

Later, these two disciples hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the apostles the good news:

“So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem… saying, ‘The Lord is risen indeed…’”
(Luke 24:33–35)

Their devotion made them witnesses of the resurrection before many others.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM CLOPAS AND HIS WIFE?

The greatest lesson we learn from this couple is their united love for Christ.

They were both close to the Lord.
They both followed Him.
They both sought Him earnestly.
They both placed Him first.

No one hindered the other from seeking God.
The husband encouraged the wife,
and the wife encouraged the husband.

Because of their unity and devotion:

• They received revelations before others
• They witnessed the risen Christ before many
• They saw His goodness early
• They became messengers of His resurrection

This is a powerful lesson for marriages today.

A WORD TO HUSBANDS AND WIVES

Husbands — be like Clopas.
Do not hinder your wife from drawing close to God.

Wives — be like Mary the wife of Clopas.
Do not hinder your husband from seeking the Lord.

If both of you place Christ first,
He will also make you first in receiving His blessings.

• You will see Jesus in your home before others.
• You will witness His goodness in your marriage before others.
• You will testify of His works in your family before others.

All this will happen if you do not hinder one another, and if Christ remains first in all things.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33)

PUT CHRIST FIRST — AND HE WILL REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU

Maranatha!

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