What does Luke 24:6 mean?

When the women came to the tomb with spices to cover Jesus' body, they did not expect to find the stone rolled away (Mark 16:3). They didn't expect to see the tomb empty. They certainly didn't expect to be greeted by two angels, one of whom tells them that Jesus is alive (Luke 24:1–5). Now, the angels tell them that they already knew this would happen: Jesus told them.

Luke's gospel, more than the others, shows women to be active players in Jesus' story. Some of these women have supported Jesus financially for years (Luke 8:1–3). Mark and Luke record the angel inviting the women to get a good look at the empty tomb and telling them He has risen and they need to tell the disciples (Matthew 28:5–7; Mark 16:6–7).

Luke's account draws out the fact that the women have been Jesus' disciples and should remember what He said. When we read that Jesus is "alone with His disciples," we tend to think that means just the Twelve. If the Twelve are not specifically mentioned, it's safe to say more were present: "alone" means away from the crowds. For instance, in Luke 10:1–12, seventy-two disciples are mentioned. The women are there, too, listening and learning with the men.

Luke records Jesus prophesying about His death at least three times (Luke 9:22; 13:32; 18:31–34). There's nothing in the other Gospels that says Luke 9:22 or 13:32 occurred only with the Twelve, although Luke 18:31–34 did.

Interestingly, when Jesus appears to His disciples, He reminds them what He said but also what the prophets said about the Messiah (Luke 24:25, 44–47). The women didn't have the advantage of a formal education, but Jesus provided them what they needed.