While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text notes the women were "much perplexed," a state of utter confusion, and then "behold" – a word meant to grab attention – two figures appear. Their "shining garments" aren't just bright; they're described with imagery akin to lightning, a dazzling, almost overwhelming display meant to cut through the women's bewilderment and point towards something divine.
While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The women, distraught and confused after discovering the empty tomb, are startled by the sudden appearance of two dazzling figures. These "men" are actually angels, described with garments bright like lightning, who are there to deliver a message of resurrection. This encounter immediately follows their discovery of the tomb being open and Jesus' body missing, setting the stage for the good news.
The women arrived at the tomb expecting sorrow and found astonishment. What did these 'two men in dazzling apparel' signify?
The appearance of two figures in 'dazzling apparel' wasn't just a visual spectacle; it was a divine signal. The Greek word for 'dazzling' here evokes lightning, suggesting a brilliance that outshines anything earthly. These weren't ordinary men, but angelic beings. Their shining garments were a visible manifestation of God's glory and power, a stark contrast to the dark grief the women felt. Their presence confirmed that something extraordinary, something supernatural, had occurred. This was God stepping into the scene in a way that demanded awe and attention, announcing that His power was far greater than death itself.
The women were 'much perplexed,' a state of utter confusion. How does God work even within our bewilderment?
The women’s perplexity wasn't a sign of faithlessness, but a natural human response to the unprecedented. They came to anoint a dead body, and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. This defied all their understanding. God doesn't always wait for us to figure things out; He often intervenes precisely in our moments of deepest confusion. The arrival of the angelic messengers, described with such brilliant imagery, was not meant to add to their confusion, but to cut through it. Their presence and message were designed to pivot the women from their 'utterly at a loss' state to understanding the astonishing reality: Jesus had risen.
Understand the original words
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aporeomai · Greek Verb
A state of mental confusion or uncertainty caused by an event that defies human understanding or expectation; often a prelude to divine revelation.
idou · Greek Interjection
A term frequently used to introduce divine intervention, a miracle, or a significant revelatory moment where God breaks into human history.
angelos · Greek Noun (contextual)
Supernatural beings created by God who act as messengers and attendants of His glory; in the New Testament, they frequently appear to announce God's redemptive actions.
astraptein · Greek Adjective
Refers to the radiance of heaven associated with divine presence; it signifies the holiness and majesty of God’s messengers.
The appearance of angels in shining garments is a pivotal moment during the confusion and astonishment of the first Easter morning, serving as divine confirmation of Jesus' resurrection amidst the bewildering discovery of the empty tomb.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified and buried in a tomb, following a period of ministry and conflict with religious and political authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
On the first day of the week following Jesus' crucifixion, women disciples arrive at his tomb to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30-33
Angel(s) Appear to Women
As the women express confusion and fear about the empty tomb, angelic beings appear in dazzling or shining garments to proclaim that Jesus has risen.
c. AD 30-33
Women Report to Disciples
The women, both from fear and astonishment, share the angelic message with the apostles and other disciples, though initially their words are not fully believed.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Jesus, now resurrected, begins to appear to his followers over a period of forty days, commissioning them and preparing them for their mission.
This passage also describes a dazzling angelic appearance at the tomb, emphasizing the angel's lightning-like countenance and snow-white raiment, mirroring the 'shining garments' seen by the women in Luke.
Mark 16:5Mark describes a 'young man' clothed in white sitting on the right side inside the tomb, a similar divine messenger providing the news of Jesus' resurrection to the women.
John 20:12John's account focuses on Mary Magdalene's experience, mentioning two angels dressed in white, one at the head and one at the foot of where Jesus had lain, highlighting the consistent angelic presence.
Luke 24:23This verse confirms the women's report that 'certain women of our company... told us that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive,' validating the appearance described in verse 4.
bengelLuke 24:4: "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:"
Luke 24:4 . Ἄνδρες , men ) viz. angels. See Luke 24:23 . Comp. Matthew 28:5 .[268] [268] Where mention is made only of one angel, viz. the angel who spoke—E. and T.
vincentLuke 24:4: "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:"
Shining (ἀστραπτούσαις)Only here and Luke 17:24, Akin to ἀστράπη, lightning. See on bright shining, Luke 11:36 and compare Luke 17:24.
The text notes the women were "much perplexed," a state of utter confusion, and then "behold" – a word meant to grab attention – two figures appear. Their "shining garments" aren't just bright; they're described with imagery akin to lightning, a dazzling, almost overwhelming display meant to cut through the women's bewilderment and point towards something divine.
The women, distraught and confused after discovering the empty tomb, are startled by the sudden appearance of two dazzling figures. These "men" are actually angels, described with garments bright like lightning, who are there to deliver a message of resurrection. This encounter immediately follows their discovery of the tomb being open and Jesus' body missing, setting the stage for the good news.
The women, distraught and confused after discovering the empty tomb, are startled by the sudden appearance of two dazzling figures. These "men" are actually angels, described with garments bright like lightning, who are there to deliver a message of resurrection. This encounter immediately follows their discovery of the tomb being open and Jesus' body missing, setting the stage for the good news.
"While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel." — The text notes the women were "much perplexed," a state of utter confusion, and then "behold" – a word meant to grab attention – two figures appear. Their "shining garments" aren't just bright; they'…
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Last reviewed October 2026