Luke 24:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,

NIV: In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning

NASB: But also some women among us left us bewildered. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,

CSB: Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb,

NLT: Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report.

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

NKJV: Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.

Jesus has come upon two of His disciples: Cleopas and another not identified. He hears them talking about His crucifixion and asks them to tell the story. They don't know who He is, but they're happy to oblige.

Cleopas is explaining what Jesus' crucifixion means to His disciples. He's arrived at the events of this morning. Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, Joanna, Salome, and other women had gone to Jesus' tomb early to anoint His body with herbs (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1, 10). When they arrived, the tomb was empty. Mary Magdalene, it seems, immediately ran to tell Peter and John (John 20:1–2). Meanwhile, the other women met an angel who told them Jesus had risen from the dead and then met Jesus (Matthew 28:5–10).

The two men had been with the male disciples and were "amazed" at their report: it didn't make sense to them. If Cleopas heard that the women had seen angels, he must have been present when they said they saw Jesus. We don't know if he didn't hear that part, or if he thinks it's too unbelievable to mention. The latter is likely, as he was still in the room when Peter and John returned after seeing the empty tomb (Luke 24:23–24).

Despite all this evidence, Cleopas can't bring himself to say that Jesus has risen from the grave. Jesus calls him and his friend "foolish ones, and slow of heart" and tells them how His crucifixion and resurrection fit with the Old Testament (Luke 24:25–27).

Cleopas says that the women are "of our company." In truth, the women have been financially supporting Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:1–3). Jesus' interactions with women in the Gospels, especially in Luke, show how supportive He is of them and their position as disciples.

Luke 24:13–27 contains a meeting between Jesus and two disciples, along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They don't recognize Him. Yet He lets them explain what they've experienced the last three days. When they finish, He points out their foolishness and shows them how the crucifixion and resurrection were prophesied in the Old Testament. When they invite Jesus for a meal, He reveals Himself and disappears. The two men return to Jerusalem to tell the larger group of disciples (Luke 24:28–35). Mark 16:12–13 gives a synopsis, but are likely not part of the original manuscript of Mark.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.