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.