Luke 24:22

KJV

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea {G235}, and certain {G5100} women {G1135} also {G2532} of {G1537} our company {G2257} made {G1839} us {G2248} astonished {G1839}, which were {G1096} early {G3721} at {G1909} the sepulchre {G3419};

Complete Jewish Bible

and this morning, some of the women astounded us. They were at the tomb early

Berean Standard Bible

Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,

American Standard Version

Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:22 captures a pivotal moment on the road to Emmaus, where two disciples, still oblivious to the identity of their walking companion, recount the bewildering events of the resurrection morning. This verse articulates their profound astonishment and disbelief at the women's report of the empty tomb and angelic pronouncements, illustrating the initial human struggle to grasp the revolutionary reality of Christ's triumph over death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the poignant narrative of the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35). It immediately follows the disciples' lament about Jesus' crucifixion and their dashed hopes that He was the one to redeem Israel, as expressed in [Luke 24:21](/luke/24-21 "Luke 24:21 - The Disciples' Dashed Hopes"). The two disciples, Cleopas and his companion, are deeply troubled and disillusioned, walking away from Jerusalem, the scene of their despair. Unbeknownst to them, the resurrected Jesus joins their journey, and this verse forms part of their detailed explanation to Him of the recent, confusing events. Their recounting sets the stage for Jesus' profound exposition of the Old Testament Scriptures, demonstrating how all prophecies pointed to His suffering and resurrection, culminating in their eyes being opened to His true identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the testimony of women, while not entirely inadmissible, was often regarded with less weight than that of men in legal or public matters. This cultural norm helps explain why the male disciples initially dismissed the women's astonishing report as "idle tales," as noted in [Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples Dismiss Women's Report"). Furthermore, the Jewish expectation of the Messiah was predominantly that of a conquering king who would liberate Israel politically, not a suffering servant who would die and rise again. The concept of a bodily resurrection, while believed by some (like the Pharisees), was not universally accepted (e.g., the Sadducees, as seen in [Matthew 22:23](/matthew/22-23 "Matthew 22:23 - The Sadducees' Denial of Resurrection")), and certainly not anticipated for the Messiah in this manner. The disciples' astonishment thus stems from a confluence of cultural skepticism towards women's testimony and a theological framework unprepared for a resurrected Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 24:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Luke. Firstly, it highlights the **Initial Disbelief** and bewilderment that greeted the news of Christ's resurrection, underscoring the radical nature of the event and the human difficulty in comprehending divine revelation, even for those who walked closely with Jesus. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Crucial Role of Women as First Witnesses**, a recurring motif in Luke's Gospel, where women are often portrayed as faithful disciples and recipients of divine favor, as seen in [Luke 24:10](/luke/24-10 "Luke 24:10 - Women at the Tomb"). Despite their testimony being initially dismissed, they were indeed the first to encounter the empty tomb and angelic messages. Thirdly, this verse is part of the broader **Process of Revelation**, where understanding of Christ's resurrection dawns gradually. The disciples' journey from astonishment and doubt to profound faith, facilitated by Jesus' exposition of the Scriptures in [Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures"), illustrates that true comprehension often requires divine intervention and a re-interpretation of preconceived notions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **astonished (Greek, _exístēmi'_):** From the verb meaning "to put (stand) out of wits," this term conveys a state of being utterly amazed, bewildered, or even beside oneself. It implies a profound sense of shock and disorientation, where one's normal understanding or mental faculties are overwhelmed by something unexpected and incomprehensible. The disciples were not merely surprised; they were mentally dislodged by the women's incredible report.
* **women (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** This general term for "woman" or "wife" here specifically refers to the female followers of Jesus who had gone to the tomb. Luke consistently highlights the significant role of women in Jesus' ministry and among His disciples, often portraying them as more perceptive or faithful than the male disciples in certain instances. Their presence "early at the sepulchre" underscores their devotion and commitment.
* **early (Greek, _órthrios'_):** Derived from the word for "dawn," this adjective means "in the dawn" or "up at day-break." It emphasizes the very early hour at which the women visited the tomb. This detail not only highlights their fervent devotion but also underscores the immediate and verifiable nature of their discovery of the empty tomb, occurring at the earliest possible moment of the day.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, and certain women also of our company":** This opening phrase, spoken by one of the disciples on the Emmaus road, acknowledges the report from a specific group of women who were part of their broader company of Jesus' followers. The "Yea, and" (Greek: _allá kaí_) indicates an emphatic addition or correction, suggesting that this particular detail is especially noteworthy or perplexing. The phrase "of our company" establishes the women's credibility within their immediate circle, yet their testimony is still met with skepticism.
* **"made us astonished,":** This is the core emotional response of the disciples. The verb "astonished" (Greek: _exístēmi_) signifies a state of being utterly bewildered, amazed, or even "out of one's mind." It conveys a profound sense of shock and incomprehension, reflecting how utterly unexpected and unbelievable the women's report of an empty tomb and angelic messages was to them. Their astonishment is a testament to the radical nature of the resurrection event.
* **"which were early at the sepulchre;":** This clause specifies the women's action and location. Their presence "early at the sepulchre" (tomb) indicates their devotional intent to tend to Jesus' body, consistent with Jewish burial customs. The fact that they were the first to arrive at the tomb and discover its emptiness is crucial, establishing them as the initial eyewitnesses to the resurrection, even if their testimony was initially dismissed.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narrative in [Luke 24](/luke/24 "Luke 24 - The Resurrection Account") masterfully employs several literary devices, even within this single verse. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the disciples recount their astonishment to the very person who is the cause of it—the resurrected Jesus, whom they fail to recognize. This dramatic irony creates a powerful sense of suspense and highlights their spiritual blindness. There is also an element of **Contrast** between the women's early and courageous devotion, leading them to be the first witnesses, and the male disciples' initial fear, doubt, and dismissal of their testimony. The phrase "made us astonished" also functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme nature of their emotional reaction to news that defied their understanding and expectations. This verse also contributes to the overarching **Narrative Suspense** of the Emmaus road account, building anticipation for the moment when Jesus' identity will be revealed and their eyes will be opened.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:22 powerfully illustrates the human struggle to comprehend divine truth, especially when it shatters preconceived notions. The disciples' astonishment underscores that the resurrection was not a predictable outcome but a radical, transformative act of God that defied human logic and expectation. It highlights that faith is often a journey from bewilderment to understanding, requiring divine revelation to truly grasp the magnitude of God's work. The initial dismissal of the women's testimony also implicitly critiques societal biases, affirming God's practice of revealing profound truths through unexpected and often marginalized voices. Ultimately, this verse sets the stage for the essential truth that the resurrection, though initially unbelievable, is the cornerstone of Christian faith, transforming despair into hope and confusion into conviction.

* [Matthew 28:8-10](/matthew/28-8-10 "Matthew 28:8-10 - The Women Encounter Jesus")
* [John 20:1-10](/john/20-1-10 "John 20:1-10 - Peter and John at the Empty Tomb")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Resurrection of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' astonishment in Luke 24:22 offers profound comfort and insight for contemporary believers. It reminds us that doubt and bewilderment are not necessarily antithetical to faith but can be part of the journey toward deeper understanding. Just as the disciples struggled to reconcile the women's report with their understanding of reality, we too may encounter truths about God or life that challenge our expectations and leave us feeling "astonished." This narrative encourages patience with ourselves and others in the process of faith, recognizing that genuine comprehension often unfolds gradually through encountering God's Word, community, and personal revelation. It also challenges us to be open to truth from unexpected sources, even those whose testimonies might be culturally or personally dismissed. Our journey of faith is not always a straight line of perfect understanding, but a winding path where God meets us in our confusion, patiently guiding us toward His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when confronted with information or spiritual truths that challenge your preconceived notions or seem unbelievable?**
* **In what areas of your faith journey have you experienced a shift from "astonishment" or doubt to deeper understanding and conviction?**
* **How might the initial dismissal of the women's testimony encourage us to listen more attentively to voices that are often marginalized or overlooked in our own contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why were the women's testimonies initially dismissed by the male disciples?**

Answer: The dismissal of the women's testimonies, as mentioned in [Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples Dismiss Women's Report"), was likely due to a combination of factors. Culturally, in first-century Jewish society, the legal testimony of women was often not given the same weight as that of men. Beyond this cultural bias, the content of their message—the resurrection of a crucified Messiah—was so utterly revolutionary and contrary to the disciples' understanding and expectations that it seemed like "idle tales" (Greek: _lēros_, meaning "nonsense" or "delirious talk"). Their minds were simply not prepared to accept such a radical truth without further, more tangible evidence.

**Who were "our company" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "Our company" refers to the broader group of Jesus' followers and disciples who had gathered in Jerusalem after His crucifixion. This would include the eleven remaining apostles, other male disciples, and the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee. [Luke 24:9-10](/luke/24-9-10 "Luke 24:9-10 - The Women Report to the Apostles") specifically names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, along with "other women with them," as those who reported the empty tomb and the angelic message to the apostles. The phrase emphasizes that these women were not strangers but trusted members of their inner circle, making their report all the more perplexing to the disciples.

**What does "made us astonished" reveal about the disciples' state of mind?**

Answer: The phrase "made us astonished" (Greek: _exístēmi_) reveals a profound state of bewilderment and mental disorientation. It signifies that the disciples were not merely surprised or puzzled, but deeply unsettled and overwhelmed by the women's report. Their minds were "put out of their wits" because the news of an empty tomb and a resurrected Jesus completely shattered their understanding of what had happened and what was possible. This astonishment highlights their despair over Jesus' death and their inability to reconcile it with the women's incredible claims, setting the stage for Jesus to open their minds to the truth as He does later in [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds to Understand Scripture").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:22, with its depiction of the disciples' profound astonishment at the news of the empty tomb, serves as a powerful testament to the utterly unprecedented nature of Christ's resurrection. Their bewilderment underscores that Jesus' victory over death was not an expected event, but a divine intervention that shattered all human categories and expectations. This initial disbelief, far from undermining the resurrection, actually highlights its radical truth and the necessity of divine revelation for its comprehension. The Emmaus road narrative, beginning with this astonishment, culminates in Christ's self-revelation through the Scriptures, demonstrating that He is the fulfillment of all prophecy, the one who had to suffer and rise again to enter into His glory ([Luke 24:26-27](/luke/24-26-27 "Luke 24:26-27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). The women's testimony, though initially dismissed, foreshadows the universal proclamation of Christ's resurrection, which is the cornerstone of the gospel message ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")). Ultimately, the astonishment of the disciples gives way to the joy and certainty of faith as they recognize the risen Christ, who is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits")), assuring believers of their own future resurrection and the triumph of God's redemptive plan through Him. This verse, therefore, points to the essential truth that Christ's resurrection is the singular, astonishing event upon which all Christian hope and salvation rest, transforming human despair into divine certainty.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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 16:10

[And] she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

Matthew 28:7

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Matthew 28:8

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

John 20:1

¶ The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

John 20:2

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Luke 24:1

¶ Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them.