Luke 24:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

NIV: but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

NASB: but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

CSB: They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

NLT: So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.

KJV: And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

NKJV: Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Several women, including Mary Magdalene, have gathered spices to cover Jesus' body. They know that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus in a tomb, a cave in the rock, and rolled a large stone over the entrance (Mark 15:46). As the women approach the garden, they're concerned about how they will get in (Mark 16:3). What they don't know is that the tomb is surrounded by soldiers and the stone is sealed so it can't be tampered with (Matthew 27:62–66).

When they arrive, they find two significant things: the stone is rolled away and Jesus' body is gone. They don't know that an angel had arrived, caused an earthquake, rolled the stone away, and frightened the soldiers so badly they passed out (Matthew 28:2–4).

The sequence of events in the Gospels is complicated but there is a way to reconcile them. One example is as follows: The angel arrives, moves the stone, and sits on it, sending the guards into shock. Before the women arrive, he either moves or veils himself. The women arrive. At least one of them glances inside the tomb and notices Jesus' body is missing. Mary Magdalene runs off immediately to tell Peter and John. The other women look more closely and see two angels, only one of whom speaks (Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4). The angel tells the women that Jesus has risen and they need to tell the disciples. As the women are on their way to the room where the disciples are staying, they meet Jesus (Matthew 28:6–10; Mark 16:6–8; Luke 24:5–11). Mary Magdalene meets John and Peter and tells them that Jesus' body is gone. The three of them rush back to the tomb. John and Peter go back to the room, but Mary stays and sees Jesus before returning to the room (Luke 24:12; John 20:2–18).

It is possible to reconcile the different resurrection accounts. For those doubting or concerned, this can be valuable. But undue focus on the timeline misses the point of the accounts: Jesus is risen!

Luke 24:1–12 reports that the women who had prepared spices find Jesus' tomb empty. Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, Salome, Joanna, and possibly others saw where Jesus was buried and gathered spices before the Sabbath began. Early Sunday morning, they return but the stone is rolled away. Two angels remind them Jesus had promised to rise from the dead. They tell Peter who also finds the tomb empty. Mark 16:1–8 gives a similar account. Matthew 28:1–10 and John 20:1–18 say that the women meet Jesus and John is with Peter.

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.