Luke 24:3

KJV

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they entered in {G1525}, and found {G2147} not {G3756} the body {G4983} of the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On entering, they discovered that the body of the Lord Yeshua was gone!

Berean Standard Bible

but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

American Standard Version

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:3 records the pivotal moment when the women who came to anoint Jesus' body entered the tomb and discovered it empty. This simple observation, the absence of the expected corpse, serves as the initial, undeniable physical evidence of the resurrection, setting the stage for the angelic announcement and the subsequent unfolding of the glorious truth that Jesus had conquered death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 24:3 is the climax of a short but profound narrative sequence. It follows the preparation of spices and ointments by the women on the day before the Sabbath, their rest on the Sabbath according to the commandment ([Luke 23:56](/luke/23-56 "Luke 23:56 - Women Prepare Spices")), and their early morning journey to the tomb on the first day of the week ([Luke 24:1](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1 - Women Go to the Tomb")). Upon arrival, they found the stone rolled away from the tomb's entrance ([Luke 24:2](/luke/24-2 "Luke 24:2 - Stone Rolled Away")). This verse describes their immediate action of entering the tomb and their shocking discovery, which directly precedes the appearance of two men in dazzling apparel who announce Jesus' resurrection ([Luke 24:4-7](/luke/24-4-7 "Luke 24:4-7 - Angelic Announcement of Resurrection")). The narrative skillfully builds from expectation to profound surprise, laying the groundwork for the disciples' initial disbelief and eventual understanding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial customs involved wrapping the deceased in linen cloths, often with spices and ointments to mitigate the odor of decomposition, especially for a body that had been hastily buried before the Sabbath, as was Jesus' case ([John 19:39-40](/john/19-39-40 "John 19:39-40 - Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea Bury Jesus")). The women's intention was to complete these traditional rites. Tombs were typically rock-cut caves or chambers, often with a large stone rolled across the entrance to seal them. The "first day of the week" (Sunday) was significant, as it marked the beginning of a new week and, for Christians, would become the day of worship, commemorating the resurrection. The women's journey at dawn highlights their devotion and the urgency of their task, underscoring their human expectation of finding a dead body, which makes the discovery of its absence all the more startling and miraculous.
* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme in [Luke 24:3](/luke/24-3 "Luke 24:3 - The Empty Tomb") is **The Empty Tomb**, which stands as the foundational, tangible evidence of Jesus' resurrection. This physical void challenges all human logic and natural laws, serving as the initial, undeniable proof that something extraordinary and divine has occurred. Closely related is the theme of **Disrupted Expectations**: the women arrived prepared for mournful anointing, but their plans were radically overturned by God's surprising and glorious intervention. Their sorrow was about to be transformed into wonder, joy, and ultimately, a mission to proclaim the good news. Finally, this verse undergirds the **Foundation of Christian Faith**, as the empty tomb is indispensable to the gospel message. Without it, the claims of Jesus' victory over sin and death would be baseless, and the hope of eternal life would be hollow ([1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - If Christ Has Not Been Raised")). The absence of the body signifies the powerful presence of the resurrected Christ, validating His divine identity and His triumph over death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **entered in (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** From G1525, meaning "to enter (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies the physical act of the women going inside the tomb chamber. This action is crucial, as it confirms their direct observation of the tomb's interior, leaving no room for speculation about whether they merely saw the rolled-away stone from a distance. Their entry confirms the reality of the empty space.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** From G2147, meaning "to find (literally or figuratively); to get, obtain, perceive, see." This word describes the result of their search. The KJV's "found not" (combining _heurískō_ with the negative particle _ou_) emphasizes the complete and undeniable absence of the body. It wasn't merely misplaced; it was genuinely, definitively not there, a discovery that defied all their expectations.
* **body (Greek, _sōma'_):** From G4983, meaning "the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively." Here, it refers specifically to the physical corpse of Jesus. The women were seeking the corporeal remains of their crucified Lord for burial rites. The absence of this physical "body" is the central point of the verse, signaling a physical, not merely spiritual, resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they entered in,"**: This initial clause describes the immediate action of the women after finding the stone rolled away. Their entry into the tomb signifies their direct investigation and personal witness to the state of the burial chamber. It establishes the empirical basis for their subsequent discovery.
* **"and found not"**: This is the critical negation. It directly states the outcome of their search: the object they expected to find was conspicuously absent. The Greek construction (οὐχ ηὗρον, _ouch heurōn_) is a strong, definitive negative, emphasizing that the body was absolutely, unequivocally not there. This absence is the first, shocking revelation.
* **"the body of the Lord Jesus."**: This final phrase identifies precisely what was missing. The women were looking for the physical remains ("the body") of their crucified teacher. The use of "the Lord Jesus" is significant, even in this context of absence. It maintains His divine identity and authority, even as His body is missing, foreshadowing His triumph as Lord over death and the grave. The combination of "Lord" and "Jesus" underscores His dual nature and ultimate sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 24:3, though simple in its statement, employs several powerful literary devices. **Anticlimax** or **Irony** is evident as the women, expecting to perform solemn burial rites on a corpse, instead encounter an empty tomb. This subversion of expectation creates a dramatic tension that is resolved by the subsequent angelic proclamation. The **Symbolism** of the empty tomb is profound; it is not merely a vacant space but a powerful symbol of Christ's victory over death and the grave, representing the triumph of life over mortality and the dawn of a new creation. Furthermore, the verse uses **Understatement**: the plain declaration "found not the body of the Lord Jesus" belies the earth-shattering theological implications of that discovery. The simplicity of the statement contrasts sharply with the monumental truth it conveys, making the absence of the body all the more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:3 stands as a foundational pillar of Christian theology, asserting the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection. The empty tomb is not merely a historical curiosity but the undeniable proof that Jesus truly conquered death, validating His claims to divinity and His atoning work on the cross. This verse underscores God's power to raise the dead and His faithfulness to His promises, transforming human despair into divine hope. It signifies that death does not have the final word, and that through Christ, eternal life is a tangible reality. The absence of the body points to the presence of a living Savior, who is now exalted and reigns.

* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")
* [Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Jesus Declared Son of God")
* [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The discovery of the empty tomb in Luke 24:3 invites us to confront our own expectations and assumptions about God's work in the world. Just as the women anticipated a lifeless body but found an astonishing absence, we too are often called to trust God's surprising and unconventional methods, which frequently transcend our limited human understanding and plans. This verse is a powerful reminder that our hope is not in a dead prophet or a historical figure, but in a living, resurrected Savior who has triumphed over the grave. It assures us that death is not the ultimate end, and that through Christ, we too can experience victory over spiritual death and the promise of future resurrection. The empty tomb empowers us to live with profound hope, knowing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, transforming our lives and equipping us to face any challenge with divine strength and assurance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the empty tomb challenge my preconceived notions or expectations about how God works in my life?**
* **What does the absence of Jesus' body in the tomb mean for my personal faith and hope in the face of life's difficulties or the reality of death?**
* **In what ways does the truth of the resurrection, initiated by the empty tomb, empower me to live a more courageous and hopeful life today?**

### FAQ
**Why were the women at the tomb so early in the morning?**

Answer: The women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, came to the tomb early on the first day of the week, at dawn ([Luke 24:1](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1 - Women Go to the Tomb")), because they intended to complete the traditional Jewish burial rites for Jesus. His body had been hastily buried before the Sabbath began at sundown on Friday ([Luke 23:54](/luke/23-54 "Luke 23:54 - Burial Before the Sabbath")), and Jewish law prohibited such work on the Sabbath. Therefore, as soon as the Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday, and then after a night's rest, they went at the earliest possible time on Sunday morning to anoint His body with spices and ointments ([Luke 23:56](/luke/23-56 "Luke 23:56 - Women Prepare Spices")).

**What is the significance of the phrase "the Lord Jesus" in this verse?**

Answer: The use of "the Lord Jesus" rather than simply "Jesus" or "Him" is highly significant. "Lord" (Greek: _kyrios_) is a title of supreme authority, sovereignty, and divine identity, often used in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew name for God, Yahweh. By referring to the missing body as that of "the Lord Jesus," Luke subtly underscores Jesus' divine nature and His ultimate triumph. Even in death, and especially in His resurrection, He is affirmed as the sovereign Lord, not merely a human teacher. This title foreshadows His exaltation and reign, confirming that His absence from the tomb is not a sign of defeat but of ultimate victory, fulfilling His role as the [Christ, the Son of the living God](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:3, with its stark declaration of the empty tomb, is the foundational historical event pointing directly to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The absence of Jesus' body is not merely a mystery but the irrefutable evidence that Jesus, the Messiah, has conquered death and the grave, fulfilling ancient prophecies that He would not see decay ([Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - David's Prophecy of Resurrection")). His resurrection is the ultimate vindication of His divine claims and His atoning work on the cross, proving that His sacrifice was sufficient to pay the penalty for sin. Because the tomb is empty, believers are assured of their own future resurrection and eternal life ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ the Firstfruits")). The empty tomb means that Christ is a living Savior, interceding for us at the right hand of God ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")), and that His Spirit indwells believers, empowering them with new life and victory over sin ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - New Life in Christ")). Thus, Luke 24:3 is not just about a missing body; it is the glorious announcement that death has been swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")).

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

Luke 24:23

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.

John 20:6

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

John 20:7

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Matthew 16:5

¶ And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.