Luke 24:9

KJV

And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} returned {G5290} from {G575} the sepulchre {G3419}, and told {G518} all {G3956} these things {G5023} unto the eleven {G1733}, and {G2532} to all {G3956} the rest {G3062}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and, returning from the tomb, they told everything to the Eleven and to all the rest.

Berean Standard Bible

And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.

American Standard Version

and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:9 recounts the pivotal moment when the women who had visited Jesus' empty tomb returned to Jerusalem to deliver the astounding news of His resurrection to the remaining eleven apostles and the broader company of disciples gathered with them. This verse marks the initial, crucial dissemination of the resurrection message, setting in motion the spread of the Gospel and challenging the disciples' preconceived notions about their crucified Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic discovery of the empty tomb by a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. They had gone to anoint Jesus' body after the Sabbath, only to find the stone rolled away and two angels proclaiming that Jesus was not there, but had risen, just as He had foretold ([Luke 24:1-8](/luke/24-1-8 "Luke 24:1-8 - The Empty Tomb and Angelic Proclamation")). Luke 24:9 thus acts as the narrative bridge, transitioning from the angelic announcement at the tomb to the human response and the initial, albeit disbelieved, proclamation of the resurrection to the inner circle of Jesus' followers. It sets the stage for the subsequent encounters of the risen Christ with His disciples, which confirm the women's testimony.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the testimony of women was often not given the same legal weight as that of men. Despite this cultural reality, Luke prominently features women as the first eyewitnesses to the empty tomb and the first bearers of the resurrection message. This highlights God's subversive way of working and elevates the status of these faithful women. The practice of anointing bodies was a common Jewish burial custom, demonstrating their devotion even after death. The setting is Jerusalem, a city still reeling from the crucifixion, where fear and confusion likely gripped Jesus' followers, making the women's news even more shocking and, initially, unbelievable.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 24:9 is central to several key themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Reversal**, where human expectations of a dead Messiah are overturned by God's power in resurrection. The women's role emphasizes the theme of **Witness and Proclamation**, as they are divinely commissioned to be the first human heralds of this world-changing event, fulfilling the pattern of spreading the good news that will culminate in the Great Commission ([Luke 24:47-48](/luke/24-47-48 "Luke 24:47-48 - Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed")). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **Initial Disbelief and Confirmation**, as the disciples' initial skepticism ([Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief")) serves to highlight the powerful, undeniable nature of the subsequent appearances of the risen Christ, which ultimately solidify their faith and empower their future mission.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **returned (Greek, _hypostréphō'_):** This verb signifies a turning back or going back to a previous place. Here, it emphasizes the immediate and purposeful action of the women. They did not linger at the tomb but promptly departed to deliver the vital message, underscoring the urgency and significance of their discovery.
* **sepulchre (Greek, _mnēmeîon'_):** Referring to a memorial, grave, or tomb, this word highlights that the women were visiting a recognized burial site. The emptiness of this specific "sepulchre" is the central point of their testimony, transforming it from a place of mourning into a witness to life.
* **told (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** This word means "to announce," "report," or "bring tidings." It implies a formal and significant declaration, not merely casual conversation. The women were not just sharing gossip but formally relaying a divine message of profound importance, underscoring the authoritative nature of their proclamation, even if initially disbelieved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And returned from the sepulchre":** This clause describes the swift and purposeful action of the women after their encounter with the angels and the empty tomb. Their return signifies their obedience to the angelic command (implied by their remembrance of Jesus' words) and their immediate impulse to share the incredible news. The "sepulchre" is explicitly named as the origin point of this transformative journey.
* **"and told all these things":** This phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness of their message. "All these things" refers to everything they had witnessed and heard: the stone rolled away, the empty tomb, the absence of Jesus' body, and crucially, the angelic pronouncement that Jesus had risen and their remembrance of His words. This was a full, unedited report of the resurrection event.
* **"unto the eleven":** This specifies the primary audience for the women's message. "The eleven" refers to the remaining apostles, minus Judas Iscariot. This indicates the women's understanding of the hierarchical structure of Jesus' followers and their intention to inform the leadership.
* **"and to all the rest":** This broadens the audience to include the wider community of disciples, followers, and perhaps other close associates who were gathered with the apostles. This highlights the communal nature of the early Christian movement and the immediate, widespread sharing of the resurrection news within that community, even before it was fully understood or believed.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **Literary Devices** in this verse. There is clear **Emphasis** on the women's immediate action ("returned") and the comprehensive nature of their report ("all these things"). The mention of "the eleven" and "all the rest" uses **Synecdoche** (a part representing the whole) to signify the entire gathered community of disciples awaiting news. Furthermore, the narrative sets up a subtle **Dramatic Irony**: the women, who are culturally less authoritative, are the first to receive and proclaim the most significant news in human history, while the male apostles, who are expected to lead, initially dismiss their testimony as "idle tales" ([Luke 24:11](/luke/24-11 "Luke 24:11 - Disciples' Disbelief")). This highlights God's unexpected ways and prepares the reader for the subsequent confirmation of the women's words by Jesus Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:9 serves as the inaugural human proclamation of the resurrection, a truth that forms the bedrock of Christian theology. It underscores that God chose to reveal His greatest triumph not through a grand, public spectacle but through the faithful testimony of a few devoted women. This initial announcement, though met with skepticism, was essential for planting the seed of belief within the nascent community of disciples. It highlights the divine necessity of the resurrection for the fulfillment of prophecy and the establishment of the new covenant, demonstrating God's power over death and His faithfulness to His promises. The women's act of "telling all these things" foreshadows the church's enduring mission to proclaim the good news of Christ's victory to all nations.

* [Matthew 28:8](/matthew/28-8 "Matthew 28:8 - Women Fleeing the Tomb with Joy and Fear")
* [Mark 16:7](/mark/16-7 "Mark 16:7 - Angelic Instruction to Disciples")
* [John 20:18](/john/20-18 "John 20:18 - Mary Magdalene Proclaims Resurrection to Disciples")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 24:9 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as the women, despite their initial fear and the likely skepticism they would face, immediately and faithfully reported the astounding news of the empty tomb and the resurrection, so too are we called to be courageous witnesses to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Their swift action reminds us that the Gospel is not merely a private belief but a public truth to be proclaimed with urgency and conviction. This verse challenges us to consider our own readiness to share the "good news," even when it seems unbelievable to others, and to value the diverse voices within the body of Christ, recognizing that God often uses the unexpected to accomplish His purposes. It also serves as a powerful reminder that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a living reality that empowers our faith and fuels our mission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the women's immediate action to "tell all these things" inspire your own willingness to share the Gospel, even when facing potential disbelief?**
* **What does the initial skepticism of the disciples teach us about the process of coming to faith and the importance of persistent witness?**
* **In what ways might we be overlooking or underestimating the contributions of "all the rest" in spreading the message of Christ today?**
* **How does the reality of the empty tomb and the resurrection impact your daily life and your hope for the future?**

### FAQ
**Why were women the first witnesses to the resurrection?**

Answer: God's choice of women as the first witnesses to the empty tomb and the resurrection message is deeply significant. It demonstrates His disregard for human social hierarchies and cultural prejudices, as women's testimony was often undervalued in first-century Jewish society. By entrusting this foundational truth to them, God highlighted His divine sovereignty and affirmed the equal worth and spiritual capacity of women in His kingdom. It also serves as a powerful testament to their unwavering devotion, as they were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb, demonstrating a faithfulness that transcended fear and societal norms. This divine choice underscores that God often uses the humble and unexpected to accomplish His greatest purposes, as seen throughout the biblical narrative.

**Who were "the eleven" and "all the rest" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "The eleven" refers specifically to the remaining apostles of Jesus, excluding Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus and subsequently died ([Matthew 27:3-5](/matthew/27-3-5 "Matthew 27:3-5 - Judas's Death")). This group formed the core leadership of Jesus' disciples. "All the rest" refers to the broader community of Jesus' followers and disciples who were gathered with the apostles, likely in a safe house in Jerusalem, awaiting news and mourning. This could include other men and women who had traveled with Jesus, such as the seventy-two whom Jesus sent out ([Luke 10:1](/luke/10-1 "Luke 10:1 - Jesus Sends Out Seventy-Two")), or other devout individuals who had become His adherents. The women's message was thus delivered to the entire immediate Christian community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:9, detailing the first human proclamation of the resurrection, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very person and work of Jesus Christ. The empty tomb, announced by the women, is the irrefutable evidence that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a martyr, but the Son of God, powerfully declared to be so by His resurrection from the dead ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). His resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, demonstrating His victory over sin and death, thereby fulfilling Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering servant and the triumphant King ([Isaiah 53:10-12](/isaiah/53-10-12 "Isaiah 53:10-12 - The Suffering Servant's Triumph")). The women's report initiates the spread of the Gospel, which is fundamentally the good news of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")). This foundational event empowers believers to become witnesses to Christ "to the ends of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission and Witnessing")), as His resurrection guarantees our own future resurrection and provides the living hope that transforms despair into joy. The women's faithful witness in Luke 24:9 is the very first ripple of the truth that Christ has indeed conquered death, opening the way for eternal life for all who believe in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

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 24:22

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

Luke 24:24

And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found [it] even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Mark 16:7

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Mark 16:8

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any [man]; for they were afraid.

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.

Mark 16:10

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