Luke 24:10

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and other [women that were] with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

{G1161} It was {G2258} Mary {G3137} Magdalene {G3094}, and {G2532} Joanna {G2489}, and {G2532} Mary {G3137} the mother of James {G2385}, and {G2532} other {G3062} women that were with {G4862} them {G846}, which {G3739} told {G3004} these things {G5023} unto {G4314} the apostles {G652}.

The women who told the emissaries these things were Miryam of Magdala, Yochanah, Miryam the mother of Ya‘akov, and the others in their circle.

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.

Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.

Commentary

Luke 24:10 identifies the faithful women who first discovered the empty tomb and heard the angelic proclamation of Jesus' resurrection, detailing their pivotal role in sharing this world-changing news with the apostles.

Context

This verse is a crucial part of the resurrection narrative in Luke's Gospel. Just before this, the women, having gone to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty (Luke 24:1-3). While perplexed, two angels appeared to them, reminding them of Jesus' words about His suffering, death, and resurrection, unequivocally declaring that "He is not here, but is risen" (Luke 24:5-7). Verse 10 then names these women as the first bearers of the Gospel's central truth to the wider group of disciples, particularly the apostles.

Key Themes

  • The First Witnesses: Luke specifically names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, along with other unnamed women, as the primary witnesses to the empty tomb and the angelic message. In a society where women's testimony was often not legally recognized, this highlights God's sovereignty in choosing His messengers. These women had been faithful followers of Jesus, even to the cross and the tomb.
  • The Spread of the Resurrection News: This verse marks the beginning of the dissemination of the resurrection message. The women, having received the most profound news in human history, immediately conveyed it to those who would become the pillars of the early church.
  • Divine Commission: These women were effectively the first evangelists of the resurrection, tasked by divine messengers to share the good news. Their obedience set in motion the spread of the Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "told these things" is apēngeilan tauta (ἀπήγγειλαν ταῦτα), which simply means "they reported these things" or "they announced these things." There isn't a complex linguistic nuance here, but the directness emphasizes their immediate action in relaying what they had seen and heard. The names themselves, Mary Magdalene (from Magdala), Joanna (possibly the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, mentioned in Luke 8:3), and Mary the mother of James, underscore the historical grounding of this event.

Related Scriptures

  • The other Gospels also confirm the presence of women at the tomb on resurrection morning: Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, and John 20:1.
  • The apostles' initial reaction of disbelief to the women's report is recorded in the very next verse: Luke 24:11.
  • Paul later lists key resurrection witnesses, emphasizing the importance of verified accounts, though he doesn't specifically name these women: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

Practical Application

Luke 24:10 offers several insights for believers today:

  • God Uses All: The Lord often chooses those whom society might overlook to be His most significant messengers. This encourages every believer, regardless of their social standing or perceived importance, to share the good news of Christ.
  • Boldness in Proclaiming Truth: Despite the likely skepticism they faced, these women faithfully delivered their message. Believers are called to share the truth of the Gospel with conviction, even when it is met with doubt or resistance.
  • The Centrality of the Resurrection: The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith. This verse highlights its immediate proclamation and foundational importance from the very first moments.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:56

    Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

  • Mark 15:40

    There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

  • Mark 15:41

    (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

  • Mark 16:9

    ¶ Now when [Jesus] was risen early the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

  • Mark 16:11

    And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

  • John 20:11

    ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, [and looked] into the sepulchre,

  • John 20:18

    Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and [that] he had spoken these things unto her.
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