And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

LUKE 24:23KJV
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Luke 24:23 (KJV)

What does Luke 24:23 mean?

Luke 24:23 describes how some women who went to Jesus’ tomb did not find his body, and then reported seeing a vision of angels who told them that Jesus was alive. The verse summarizes what the women shared with the disciples after returning from the empty tomb.

The setting is after Jesus’ crucifixion, early on the first day of the week. The women, followers of Jesus, went to the tomb and found it empty. They then told the other disciples about their experience, including the message from the angels. This verse captures the confusion and amazement among Jesus’ followers as they tried to understand what had happened.

The Greek behind Luke 24:23

  • ὄραμα (horama, “vision”): This word often refers to a supernatural sight or revelation, not just an ordinary dream or imagination. Here, it highlights that the women experienced something extraordinary and divine at the tomb.
  • ζῶν (zōn, “alive”): The Greek word used for “alive” is the normal term for living, emphasizing that the angels’ message was that Jesus was truly living again, not just missing or moved.

Why Luke 24:23 matters

  • Luke 24:23 clarifies that the first witnesses to the resurrection were women, and their testimony included both the empty tomb and a direct message from angels.
  • The verse shows the initial skepticism and confusion among Jesus’ followers, setting up the unfolding story of how they come to believe in the resurrection.
  • The mention of a “vision of angels” connects this moment to other times in Luke’s Gospel where angels announce God’s actions, reinforcing the idea that something miraculous has happened.

Where else these words appear

“vision” Greek G3701 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
  • Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
  • 2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

“had” Greek G3708 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

“body” Greek G4983 · used in 122 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

“alive” Greek G2198 · used in 127 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.