Luke 24:23
and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The women's report of seeing a "vision of angels" who "say" Jesus is alive highlights the initial layers of disbelief and repetition in the story. It's not just that the body was missing, but that even the angelic message was delivered and heard secondhand, increasing the disciples' hesitation to fully embrace the resurrection.
Two disciples, hearts heavy with grief and confusion after Jesus' crucifixion, are walking to Emmaus, debating all that has happened. They recount the astonishing report from some women of their company who went to the tomb early that morning, finding it empty and claiming to have seen a vision of angels proclaiming Jesus is alive. This report adds to their bewilderment, highlighting the disciples' struggle to grasp the unbelievable reality of the resurrection.
Why were the disciples so quick to dismiss such an extraordinary report? Their struggle reveals a common human tendency.
When Jesus’ followers heard the women’s report of angels proclaiming His resurrection, they didn’t immediately rejoice. Instead, the text notes their hesitation and confusion. Cleopas, in his own account, uses phrases that suggest a 'double hearsay' – the women reporting what the angels said. This layering of secondhand information, combined with their deep grief and shattered hopes, made belief difficult. Their minds were so clouded by the shock of the crucifixion that even angelic testimony struggled to penetrate.
This highlights how our own experiences and expectations can create a powerful filter, making it hard to accept truths that contradict our current reality, even when those truths come from seemingly reliable sources.
An angelic visitation is not a common occurrence! What does this tell us about God’s strategy for revealing the resurrection?
The appearance of angels is a crucial, divinely appointed sign. Angels are God’s messengers, and their direct word carries immense authority. In this instance, they are sent not just to confirm Jesus’ resurrection, but to explicitly state, 'he was alive.' This is a pivotal moment, meant to overcome the disciples' despair.
The word used for 'vision' (epiphaneia) in some contexts refers to a divine manifestation. While the disciples initially struggled to process this extraordinary news, the angelic testimony serves as a powerful, undeniable confirmation of God’s power over death. It’s a stark contrast to the empty tomb – the absence of the body is explained by the presence of heavenly beings.
Understand the original words
optasia · Greek Noun
A supernatural manifestation of a divine being or realm; in Scripture, angels act as messengers or agents of God, appearing to provide revelation or witness to the works of God.
angelos · Greek Noun
A messenger sent by God; these beings are spiritual, created ministers who surround God’s throne and carry out His commands, often acting as intermediaries between heaven and earth.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Crucified and Buried
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem by order of Pontius Pilate and is buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.
c. 30 AD, Easter Sunday Morning
Empty Tomb Discovered
Women disciples, including Mary Magdalene, go to Jesus' tomb early Sunday morning to anoint his body but find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. 30 AD, Easter Sunday Morning— this verse
Angelic Message at the Tomb
The women at the tomb encounter angelic beings who declare that Jesus is alive and risen.
c. 30 AD, Easter Sunday
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples
Jesus appears to two disciples walking to Emmaus, though they do not recognize him at first. They recount the events of the empty tomb and the angelic message.
c. 30 AD, Easter Sunday Evening
Jesus Appears to Apostles
Jesus appears to his apostles in Jerusalem, showing them his hands and side and eating with them, confirming his resurrection.
This passage lists the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection, directly supporting the women's report and the disciples' eventual belief that he was alive.
Matthew 28:1-10This account of the resurrection at the tomb includes the women's encounter with angels and their subsequent meeting with Jesus, corroborating the details mentioned in Luke 24:23.
John 20:1-18This passage describes Mary Magdalene's experience at the empty tomb and her encounter with angels and the resurrected Jesus, highlighting the initial confusion and eventual confirmation of his resurrection.
Luke 24:1-12This immediately preceding passage details the women's discovery of the empty tomb and their report to the apostles, which is the same event being referenced by the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
vincentLuke 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."
That they had seen - which saidCleopas, absorbed in his story, throws himself back to the time of his interview with the women. Lit., "They came saying that they have seen a vision of angels which say" (λέγουσιν).
ellicottLuke 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."
(23) A vision of angels. —The word for “vision” is used of what Zacharias saw in the Temple ( Luke 1:22 ), of the “visions” of which St. Paul was tempted to boast ( 2Corinthians 12:1 ). It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament.
The women's report of seeing a "vision of angels" who "say" Jesus is alive highlights the initial layers of disbelief and repetition in the story. It's not just that the body was missing, but that even the angelic message was delivered and heard secondhand, increasing the disciples' hesitation to fully embrace the resurrection.
Two disciples, hearts heavy with grief and confusion after Jesus' crucifixion, are walking to Emmaus, debating all that has happened. They recount the astonishing report from some women of their company who went to the tomb early that morning, finding it empty and claiming to have seen a vision of angels proclaiming Jesus is alive. This report adds to their bewilderment, highlighting the disciples' struggle to grasp the unbelievable reality of the resurrection.
Two disciples, hearts heavy with grief and confusion after Jesus' crucifixion, are walking to Emmaus, debating all that has happened. They recount the astonishing report from some women of their company who went to the tomb early that morning, finding it empty and claiming to have seen a vision of angels proclaiming Jesus is alive. This report adds to their bewilderment, highlighting the disciples' struggle to grasp the unbelievable reality of the resurrection.
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"and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive." — The women's report of seeing a "vision of angels" who "say" Jesus is alive highlights the initial layers of disbelief and repetition in the story. It's not just that the body was missing, but that ev…
