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.