Luke 24:23

KJV

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they found {G2147} not {G3361} his {G846} body {G4983}, they came {G2064}, saying {G3004}, that they had {G3708} also {G2532} seen {G3708} a vision {G3701} of angels {G32}, which {G3739} said {G3004} that he {G846} was alive {G2198}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and couldn’t find his body, so they came back; but they also reported that they had seen a vision of angels who say he’s alive!

Berean Standard Bible

but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive.

American Standard Version

and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:23 captures the pivotal moment when the women, having discovered Jesus' empty tomb, returned to the disciples with an astonishing report: not only was His body missing, but they had also encountered a divine manifestation of angels who unequivocally declared that Jesus was alive. This verse marks the initial, bewildering, yet ultimately foundational, human reception of the resurrection truth, setting the stage for the disciples' journey from doubt to belief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of [Luke 24](/luke/24 "Luke 24 - The Resurrection Account"). It immediately follows the women's discovery of the empty tomb and the initial appearance of two men in dazzling clothes, who reminded them of Jesus' prophecy concerning His resurrection ([Luke 24:1-8](/luke/24-1-8 "Luke 24:1-8 - The Empty Tomb and Angelic Message")). Luke 24:23 specifically recounts the women's return to the eleven apostles and other disciples, conveying their incredible experience. This report, however, is met with skepticism, as the disciples consider their words "idle tales" ([Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief")). The narrative then transitions to Peter's verification of the empty tomb ([Luke 24:12](/luke/24-12 "Luke 24:12 - Peter at the Tomb")) and, most significantly, the Emmaus road encounter, where Jesus Himself explains the Old Testament prophecies concerning His suffering and resurrection ([Luke 24:13-35](/luke/24-13-35 "Luke 24:13-35 - The Emmaus Road Encounter")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the testimony of women was often not considered legally admissible in court. This cultural bias explains, in part, the initial disbelief of the apostles when the women reported their incredible experience. The expectation among Jesus' followers was that of a Messiah who would reign politically, not one who would suffer and die, much less rise from the dead. The concept of resurrection was known (e.g., the Sadducees denied it, the Pharisees affirmed it), but a resurrection *before* the general resurrection at the end of time was unprecedented and deeply counter-intuitive. The women's visit to the tomb to anoint the body was a customary act of respect for the deceased, highlighting their devotion and their assumption that Jesus was still dead. The angelic appearance, however, transcends human custom and legal precedent, serving as a divine, authoritative declaration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation**, as God uses angels to proclaim the truth of Jesus' resurrection, bypassing human skepticism. It highlights the **Reality of the Resurrection** as the central event, confirming Jesus' identity and validating His claims. The initial disbelief of the disciples, particularly in [Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief"), introduces the theme of **Faith and Doubt**, which is further explored in the Emmaus road narrative where Jesus rebukes their slowness to believe ([Luke 24:25](/luke/24-25 "Luke 24:25 - Jesus Rebukes Emmaus Disciples")). Finally, it emphasizes the **Role of Eyewitnesses**, even initially disbelieved ones, in the transmission of the Gospel message, laying the groundwork for the apostolic witness that would follow, as seen in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb signifies to "find" or "discover," often implying a search or an unexpected encounter. Here, it highlights the women's diligent search for Jesus' body, which was their original intent in going to the tomb. The fact that they "found not his body" is the initial, concrete evidence of something extraordinary, challenging their expectations and setting the stage for the divine revelation that followed.
* **vision (Greek, _optasía'_):** This term denotes a "visuality" or "apparition," specifically a supernatural appearance or revelation. It emphasizes that what the women saw was not an ordinary human encounter but a divinely orchestrated manifestation. This word underscores the miraculous and authoritative nature of the angelic encounter, distinguishing it from mere imagination or human error.
* **alive (Greek, _záō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to live," "to be alive," or "to have life." This is the core message delivered by the angels. It is an unequivocal declaration of Jesus' continued existence and triumph over death. It signifies not merely a spiritual presence but a resurrected, living reality, fundamentally altering the disciples' understanding of Jesus' fate and identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they found not his body":** This clause establishes the initial perplexing situation at the tomb. The women's primary purpose was to anoint Jesus' body, indicating their belief that He was still dead. The absence of the body is the first, tangible sign that something unprecedented has occurred, creating a vacuum of understanding that only divine revelation can fill.
* **"they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels":** Upon returning to the disciples, the women report not only the empty tomb but also their encounter with a supernatural phenomenon. The "vision of angels" signifies a divine intervention, a direct communication from God's messengers. This part of their testimony moves beyond mere observation to a claim of direct, supernatural experience.
* **"which said that he was alive":** This is the climactic declaration. The angels' message is the definitive interpretation of the empty tomb. It transforms the mystery of a missing body into the miraculous truth of a living Savior. This phrase encapsulates the central message of the resurrection, directly addressing the women's (and soon, the disciples') bewilderment with an authoritative, life-altering truth.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 24:23 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Narrative Progression** is evident as the verse advances the plot from the discovery of the empty tomb to the women's report, building suspense and anticipation for the disciples' reaction. There is a strong element of **Irony** present; the very ones whose testimony would be culturally dismissed (women) are the first recipients of the most significant news in human history. Furthermore, the disciples' initial dismissal of this vital truth ([Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief")) highlights a dramatic irony, as the audience knows the truth before the characters do. **Divine Revelation** is a key device, as the angels serve as God's direct spokespersons, providing an authoritative, supernatural confirmation of Jesus' resurrection, thereby validating the otherwise unbelievable circumstances. The use of "vision" (Greek: _optasía_) emphasizes the extraordinary, non-mundane nature of this revelation, underscoring its divine origin and significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:23 serves as the initial human reception of the resurrection, a message delivered by divine agents that radically redefines the understanding of Jesus' identity and mission. This angelic proclamation of Jesus being "alive" is not merely a statement of His continued existence but a declaration of His victory over sin and death, establishing Him as the living Lord. It forms the bedrock of Christian theology, affirming the power of God to bring life out of death and fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and glory. The women's testimony, though initially met with disbelief, becomes the first ripple in the wave of resurrection witness that would transform the world, demonstrating God's chosen method of revealing His truth through unexpected channels.

* [Matthew 28:5-6](/matthew/28-5-6 "Matthew 28:5-6 - Angelic Message at the Tomb")
* [Mark 16:6](/mark/16-6 "Mark 16:6 - Angelic Proclamation of Resurrection")
* [John 20:11-13](/john/20-11-13 "John 20:11-13 - Mary Magdalene and the Angels")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The women's experience in Luke 24:23 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Their initial bewilderment at the empty tomb, followed by the astonishing angelic declaration, mirrors our own journey of faith. We often encounter circumstances that defy our understanding, leaving us confused or even despairing. Yet, like the women, we are called to listen for God's voice, which often comes through unexpected messengers or in ways that challenge our preconceived notions. The message that Jesus "was alive" is the ultimate source of hope, transforming sorrow into joy and doubt into conviction. It reminds us that our faith is not based on a dead historical figure but on a living, active Savior who has conquered the grave. This truth empowers us to face life's uncertainties with courage, knowing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, offering new life, forgiveness, and eternal hope. We are also reminded of the importance of sharing this life-giving news, even when it seems unbelievable to others, trusting that God will use our testimony to reveal His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when faced with news or circumstances that seem too good to be true, or defy your understanding?**
* **In what ways does the truth of Jesus' resurrection, as proclaimed by the angels, offer you hope and assurance in your daily life?**
* **Considering the initial disbelief of the disciples, what does Luke 24:23 teach us about the importance of perseverance in sharing the Gospel, even when met with skepticism?**
* **How does the "vision of angels" remind you that God often reveals His truth in supernatural or unexpected ways?**

### FAQ
**Why were the women's words initially dismissed by the apostles?**

Answer: The apostles dismissed the women's report as "idle tales" or "nonsense" ([Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief")) for several reasons. Culturally, in first-century Jewish society, the testimony of women was often not considered reliable in legal or public matters. More significantly, the concept of a bodily resurrection *before* the general resurrection at the end of time was unprecedented and difficult for them to comprehend, despite Jesus' own predictions ([Luke 18:31-33](/luke/18-31-33 "Luke 18:31-33 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection")). Their minds were still grappling with the trauma of Jesus' crucifixion and their expectations of a conquering Messiah, making the idea of a resurrected one hard to accept.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:23 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ as the resurrected Lord. The angelic declaration that "he was alive" is the divine affirmation of Jesus' triumph over death, a victory foreshadowed in the Old Testament and explicitly promised by Jesus Himself ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). This resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, validating Jesus' claims to divinity and His power to save. He is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1_corinthians/15-20](/1-corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")), guaranteeing the future resurrection for all who believe in Him. The empty tomb and the angelic message in Luke 24:23 point directly to Jesus as the living Savior, the one who holds "the keys of Death and Hades" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus' Authority Over Death")), and through whom eternal life is offered to all humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). His being "alive" means His ongoing intercession for believers ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")), His present reign, and His future return in glory ([Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - Jesus' Ascension and Promise of Return")).

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.