The text doesn't just say the two figures were "in shining garments," but "flashing as with lightning." This intense, brilliant light emphasizes they aren't ordinary men, but divine messengers whose appearance itself communicates the awe-inspiring reality of the resurrection.
While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The women, arriving at Jesus' tomb with spices to anoint his body, are deeply confused to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. As they grapple with this startling sight, two figures appear, clothed in garments that flash like lightning, adding to their bewilderment.
The women arrived at the tomb expecting grief, but found something far more bewildering. What does it mean when life's biggest questions leave us utterly stumped?
The women's state is described as 'much perplexed' or 'utterly at a loss.' This isn't just mild confusion; it's a deep-seated bewilderment. They came with spices to anoint a dead body, but the stone was rolled away and the body was gone! Their whole framework for understanding reality was shaken.
It's easy to relate to this feeling. We face situations where what we expect and what we experience are miles apart. It could be a sudden loss, a betrayal, or even a spiritual question that has no easy answer. In these moments, we too can feel utterly at a loss, our minds racing to make sense of the nonsensical.
Suddenly, the bewildering scene is interrupted by figures radiating light. Who are these 'men' in 'dazzling apparel,' and what do they signify?
The appearance of 'two men in dazzling apparel' is a direct intervention from heaven. The descriptions of their clothing as 'shining' or 'flashing as with lightning' (akin to lightning) immediately signals they are not ordinary humans. These are heavenly beings, angels, sent by God.
Angels are God's messengers and agents, often appearing to bring divine revelation, protection, or judgment. Their 'dazzling apparel' isn't just for show; it's a visible manifestation of God's glory and power, designed to cut through human confusion and awe.
While Matthew and Mark mention one angel, Luke specifically notes two. This isn't a contradiction but a fuller picture, common in Scripture where different accounts highlight different aspects. Here, two witnesses provide a more robust confirmation of the resurrection message. They are there precisely when the women are most perplexed, offering a divine perspective that transforms their confusion into understanding.
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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.
emphobos · Greek Adjective
A deep, reverential awe or terror experienced by humans when confronted with the presence of God or His holy messengers.
klinō · Greek Verb
A physical posture of humble submission and deep reverence before the majesty of God or His representatives.
zaō · Greek Adjective/Verb
The state of possessing eternal, resurrected life; Jesus is the 'Living One' who conquered death and remains alive forevermore as the source of salvation.
nekros · Greek Adjective/Noun
The state of separation from God or the cessation of physical existence; in this context, it signifies the sphere of the grave, which is incapable of holding the Son of God.
The encounter described in this verse takes place on the very first Easter morning, a pivotal moment when the reality of Jesus' resurrection began to be revealed, transforming despair into hope through angelic testimony and Christ's own appearances.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified and buried in a tomb on the first day of the week.
c. AD 30
Discovery of the Empty Tomb
Women arrive at the tomb early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus' body, finding the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30
Appearance of Angels
Angels appear to the women at the tomb, startling them and delivering the message of Jesus' resurrection.
c. AD 30
Women Report to Disciples
The women share their experience and the angelic message with the disciples, though many initially disbelieve.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, who was at the tomb, commissioning her to tell the others.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Other Disciples
Jesus appears to various groups of his followers over the next forty days, confirming his resurrection.
This passage describes a similar scene at the empty tomb, featuring an angel whose appearance was like lightning and whose clothing was white as snow, echoing the 'dazzling apparel' mentioned in Luke.
John 20:11-12Here, Mary Magdalene sees two angels in white at the tomb, one at the head and one at the feet where Jesus had lain, directly paralleling the two figures Luke mentions.
Luke 9:29This verse describes Jesus’ transfiguration, where his clothes became dazzling white, a divine radiance that seems to be mirrored in the appearance of the 'two men' at the tomb.
Acts 1:10After Jesus’ ascension, two men in white appeared to the disciples, reassuring them about Jesus’ return, similar to how the figures at the tomb offered comfort and explanation.
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 doesn't just say the two figures were "in shining garments," but "flashing as with lightning." This intense, brilliant light emphasizes they aren't ordinary men, but divine messengers whose appearance itself communicates the awe-inspiring reality of the resurrection.
The women, arriving at Jesus' tomb with spices to anoint his body, are deeply confused to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. As they grapple with this startling sight, two figures appear, clothed in garments that flash like lightning, adding to their bewilderment.
The women, arriving at Jesus' tomb with spices to anoint his body, are deeply confused to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. As they grapple with this startling sight, two figures appear, clothed in garments that flash like lightning, adding to their bewilderment.
"While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?" — The text doesn't just say the two figures were "in shining garments," but "flashing as with lightning." This intense, brilliant light emphasizes they aren't ordinary men, but divine messengers whose…
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Last reviewed October 2026
