The dazzling "shining garments" of these angelic visitors weren't just visually stunning; they were meant to flash like lightning, a divine sign that what the women were witnessing was far beyond ordinary human experience. This wasn't just a vision of men, but a profound, awe-inspiring display that pointed to God's immediate presence and power amidst their confusion.
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? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The women, arriving at the tomb early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus' body, are bewildered to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. As they grapple with this shocking discovery, two figures in dazzling, lightning-like garments suddenly appear beside them.
Imagine standing at an empty tomb, the most profound event in history unfolding. The women were utterly confused. What did 'perplexity' look like for them?
The original language word for 'perplexed' here paints a picture of being completely baffled, utterly at a loss. It wasn't just mild confusion; it was a deep disorientation.
More Than Just Surprise
Think about what these women had just experienced: an earthquake, a stone rolled away, and an empty tomb. Their minds were racing, trying to make sense of it all. Were they looking for a body? Were they afraid? Their understanding of life and death had just been shattered. This profound confusion highlights how unexpected and revolutionary Jesus' resurrection was, even to those closest to him.
Suddenly, 'two men' appear. But their appearance isn't ordinary. What made them so extraordinary, and why 'two'?
The description 'dazzling apparel' or 'shining garments' evokes a sense of brilliant light, almost like lightning. It suggests these weren't just ordinary men, but heavenly beings—angels.
A Divine Light Show
The brilliance of their clothing was meant to signal their divine origin and the awe-inspiring nature of the event. It wasn't just a visual spectacle; it was a divine announcement.
Two Witnesses
While some accounts mention one angel, Luke specifies two. This detail likely served to corroborate the message, providing a more solid testimony to the unbelievable news of the resurrection. Two witnesses often carry more weight, and in this pivotal moment, God provided them.
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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 appearance of angels in shining garments to perplexed women at the empty tomb marks a critical, almost unbelievable, moment. It's a divine intervention designed to lift their minds from sorrow and confusion to the astounding reality of the resurrection, the cornerstone of Christian faith.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified by Roman authorities in Jerusalem and laid in a tomb. This event is the pivotal moment that the subsequent discovery at the tomb revolves around.
Early Sunday morning, c. AD 30-33
Women Visit the Empty Tomb
A group of women, including Mary Magdalene, arrive at Jesus' tomb early on the first day of the week to anoint his body. They find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, causing confusion and perplexity.
Early Sunday morning, c. AD 30-33
Angelic Messengers Appear
While the women are bewildered by the empty tomb, two figures in dazzling or shining apparel appear to them, speaking words of divine reassurance and announcing Jesus' resurrection.
Sunday, c. AD 30-33
Jesus Appears to His Followers
Following the angelic encounter, Jesus himself appears to his disciples and other followers in various encounters throughout the day and in the following weeks, confirming his resurrection.
This passage describes a similar celestial appearance at Jesus' tomb, detailing an angel whose 'raiment was white as snow' and whose 'countenance was like lightning,' mirroring the dazzling appearance of the 'two men' in Luke.
John 20:11-12Here, Mary Magdalene sees 'two angels in white' sitting where Jesus had lain. This confirms the presence of angelic beings in human-like form at the empty tomb, adding another perspective to the women's encounter.
Luke 24:23The women themselves later recount to the disciples that certain women saw a 'vision of angels, who said that he was alive.' This links the 'two men' directly to angelic messengers confirming Jesus' resurrection.
Mark 16:5This Gospel also mentions a 'young man dressed in a white robe' at the tomb. While it mentions only one figure, it shares the theme of heavenly beings appearing in radiant attire to the women.
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 dazzling "shining garments" of these angelic visitors weren't just visually stunning; they were meant to flash like lightning, a divine sign that what the women were witnessing was far beyond ordinary human experience. This wasn't just a vision of men, but a profound, awe-inspiring display that pointed to God's immediate presence and power amidst their confusion.
The women, arriving at the tomb early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus' body, are bewildered to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. As they grapple with this shocking discovery, two figures in dazzling, lightning-like garments suddenly appear beside them.
The women, arriving at the tomb early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus' body, are bewildered to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. As they grapple with this shocking discovery, two figures in dazzling, lightning-like garments suddenly appear beside them.
"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? He is not here, but…" — The dazzling "shining garments" of these angelic visitors weren't just visually stunning; they were meant to flash like lightning, a divine sign that what the women were witnessing was far beyond ord…
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Last reviewed October 2026
