Luke 24:5

And as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

And {G1161} as {G1096} they {G846} were {G1096} afraid {G1719}, and {G2532} bowed down {G2827} their faces {G4383} to {G1519} the earth {G1093}, they said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Why {G5101} seek ye {G2212} the living {G2198} among {G3326} the dead {G3498}?

Terror-stricken, they bowed down with their faces to the ground. The two men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?

As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Luke 24:5 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as the women who came to anoint Jesus' body at the tomb are confronted by two angelic beings. Their fear and reverence are palpable as they bow down, only to be met with a profound, challenging question that shifts their perspective from death to life.

Context

This verse immediately follows the discovery of the empty tomb on the first Easter morning. The women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10), had come prepared with spices to perform the customary anointing of a deceased body. Instead, they found the large stone rolled away and no body inside. As they stood perplexed, two men in dazzling clothes suddenly appeared, causing them great fear. The angels' question serves as the divine announcement of the resurrection, directly addressing the women's confusion and sorrow.

Key Themes

  • The Resurrection of Jesus: The central message of this verse is the pivotal truth of Jesus' resurrection. The angels' question highlights the absurdity of seeking a living Savior among the dead, proclaiming His triumph over death.
  • Challenging Expectations: The women came expecting to find a corpse, bound by their earthly understanding of death. The angelic question shatters these expectations, inviting them to grasp a new, supernatural reality.
  • Divine Revelation: The angels act as God's messengers, providing clarity and revelation where human understanding fails. Their words are not a rebuke but a divine redirection, pointing to the fulfillment of prophecy.
  • Life Over Death: The verse powerfully contrasts "the living" with "the dead," emphasizing that Christ is not merely alive but is the source of life itself, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe.

Linguistic Insights

The stark contrast in the angels' question, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?", is crucial. The Greek word for "living" is zōnta (ζῶντα), emphasizing active, vibrant life, while "dead" comes from nekrōn (νεκρῶν), referring to corpses or the realm of the deceased. This direct juxtaposition powerfully underscores the miraculous and unprecedented nature of Jesus' resurrection, distinguishing Him from all who have died before Him.

Practical Application

Luke 24:5 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • Seek the Living Christ: This verse reminds us not to look for spiritual life in "dead" things—empty rituals, past traditions without present power, or worldly philosophies. True life is found only in the living Christ.
  • Embrace Resurrection Hope: For those who mourn or face seemingly insurmountable challenges, this passage offers immense hope. Just as the women were directed away from the tomb, we are called to look beyond our despair to the victorious, living Savior.
  • Challenge Your Assumptions: Often, we limit God by our own expectations or understanding. This verse encourages us to be open to God's miraculous work, which often transcends our human logic and experience.
  • Live in Victory: Because Jesus is alive, believers are empowered to live a life of victory over sin, fear, and death. We are called to seek the living Christ in all areas of life, trusting in His ongoing power and presence.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 16:5

    And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

  • Mark 16:6

    And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

  • Revelation 1:18

    [I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

  • Revelation 2:8

    And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

  • Matthew 28:3

    His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

  • Matthew 28:5

    And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

  • Daniel 10:16

    And, behold, [one] like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

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