Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

LUKE 24:22KJV
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Luke 24:22 (KJV)

What does Luke 24:22 mean?

Luke 24:22 describes how some women from the group of Jesus’ followers surprised and amazed the others because they went early to Jesus’ tomb. The verse highlights the women’s actions as unexpected and significant to those hearing the report.

The speaker is one of the two disciples walking to Emmaus, telling a stranger (who is actually Jesus, though they don’t recognize Him) about recent events. The verse comes as the disciples explain their confusion and astonishment after Jesus’ crucifixion, especially because these women found something unusual at the tomb early in the morning.

The Greek behind Luke 24:22

  • ἐξέστησαν (exestēsan, “made us astonished”): This word means to be amazed or thrown into wonder, even to the point of being beside oneself. The disciples are not just surprised; they are deeply unsettled and struggling to understand what happened.
  • ὄρθριαι (orthriai, “early”): This word refers to being up at dawn or very early in the morning. It emphasizes the eagerness and urgency of the women’s visit to the tomb, which adds to the sense of surprise for the group.

Why Luke 24:22 matters

  • The verse shows that women were the first to visit the tomb and played a key role in the resurrection story, which was unusual in the cultural context of the time.
  • The disciples’ astonishment reveals their uncertainty and confusion, setting the stage for Jesus to explain the true meaning of what happened.
  • This detail connects the resurrection account to eyewitness testimony, underlining the reality and unexpected nature of the events being described.

Where else these words appear

“made” Greek G1839 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
  • Luke 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
  • Acts 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

“sepulchre” Greek G3419 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
  • Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
  • John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.