New Testament · Gospel

Luke 24:23

The Road to Emmaus

but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. Luke 24:23 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Luke 24:23, in plain English

The women came back saying His body was gone and that they'd seen angels who told them Jesus was alive.

Why it's here

Angels declaring Jesus alive, an empty tomb — you'd think that would be enough, but faith often needs more than evidence.

Who's speaking

The disciples relay the women's stunning claims about angels and an empty tomb.

Where it sits in the story

The evidence was mounting — missing body, angelic announcement — but belief still hadn't broken through. Sometimes the truth is right in front of you, waiting for your heart to catch up.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The disciples report that the women did not find Jesus' body but claimed to have seen a vision of angels who declared Jesus to be alive.

Language and setting

The word optasia ('vision') could imply the disciples considered the angelic encounter a subjective experience rather than objective reality, further distancing themselves from belief.

Voice

The two disciples continue recounting the women's testimony about the empty tomb and angelic vision.

Significance

Their summary subtly downplays the women's experience by framing it as a 'vision' — perhaps explaining why the community remained unconvinced despite multiple witnesses.

In context

Luke 24:21–25

21But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place.

22Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,

23but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive.

24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.”

25Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

Read all of Luke 24 — Two disciples walking home in despair meet a stranger who opens the Scriptures. Their hearts burn. And then they recognize Him.

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