Luke 24:4
While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the women were utterly baffled, these weren't just ordinary men but angelic beings whose garments shone with a brilliance like lightning. Their sudden appearance in "dazzling apparel" was meant to cut through the women's confusion with a divine, undeniable presence.
The women, having come to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus, are utterly bewildered by the stone rolled away and the empty grave. As they grapple with this perplexing situation, two figures in dazzling, lightning-like garments suddenly appear. This encounter immediately follows their discovery of the tomb's emptiness and precedes the angelic message that Jesus has risen.
Understand the original words
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.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Crucified and Buried
Following his trial and condemnation, Jesus is crucified and laid in a tomb. This event is the culmination of His earthly ministry and the central point of Christian faith.
c. AD 30
Women Visit the Empty Tomb
On the first day of the week after the crucifixion, women, including Mary Magdalene, go to anoint Jesus' body, only to find the tomb empty.
c. AD 30
Angelic Annunciation
At the empty tomb, angelic beings appear to the women, startling them and delivering the message that Jesus has risen.
c. AD 30
Resurrection Appearances Begin
After the angelic announcement, Jesus Himself begins to appear to His disciples, starting with Mary Magdalene and later to the other followers.
c. AD 30
Ascension of Jesus
Following His resurrection appearances, Jesus ascends into heaven, commissioning His disciples to spread the gospel.
This passage describes a similar angelic appearance at the empty tomb, featuring an angel whose appearance was like lightning and whose garments were white as snow, mirroring the dazzling and bright nature of the 'two men' in Luke.
Mark 16:5Mark's Gospel also mentions the women's encounter with a 'young man' dressed in a white robe, which aligns with the description of luminous attire and reinforces the angelic nature of the figures Luke describes.
John 20:11-12Here, Mary Magdalene sees two angels in white sitting in the tomb where Jesus had lain, providing another parallel to Luke's account of two figures in radiant clothing at the empty tomb.
Luke 24:23The women themselves later report that 'certain women of our company... told us that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive,' directly confirming the angelic nature of the 'two men' the women encountered.
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.
While the women were utterly baffled, these weren't just ordinary men but angelic beings whose garments shone with a brilliance like lightning. Their sudden appearance in "dazzling apparel" was meant to cut through the women's confusion with a divine, undeniable presence.
The women, having come to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus, are utterly bewildered by the stone rolled away and the empty grave. As they grapple with this perplexing situation, two figures in dazzling, lightning-like garments suddenly appear. This encounter immediately follows their discovery of the tomb's emptiness and precedes the angelic message that Jesus has risen.
The women, having come to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus, are utterly bewildered by the stone rolled away and the empty grave. As they grapple with this perplexing situation, two figures in dazzling, lightning-like garments suddenly appear. This encounter immediately follows their discovery of the tomb's emptiness and precedes the angelic message that Jesus has risen.
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c. AD 30-33
Early Church Growth
The disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin preaching the resurrection, leading to the rapid growth of the early Christian church.
"While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel." — While the women were utterly baffled, these weren't just ordinary men but angelic beings whose garments shone with a brilliance like lightning. Their sudden appearance in "dazzling apparel" was meant…
