Luke Chapter 23 · Verse 55

Authorized King James Version

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And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

Original Language Analysis

Κατακολουθήσασαι followed after G2628
Κατακολουθήσασαι followed after
Strong's: G2628
Word #: 1 of 20
to accompany closely
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 20
but, and, etc
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 3 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γυναῖκες the women G1135
γυναῖκες the women
Strong's: G1135
Word #: 4 of 20
a woman; specially, a wife
αἵτινες which G3748
αἵτινες which
Strong's: G3748
Word #: 5 of 20
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
ἦσαν came G2258
ἦσαν came
Strong's: G2258
Word #: 6 of 20
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
συνεληλυθυῖαι G4905
συνεληλυθυῖαι
Strong's: G4905
Word #: 7 of 20
to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally)
αὐτοῦ his G846
αὐτοῦ his
Strong's: G846
Word #: 8 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ from G1537
ἐκ from
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 9 of 20
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίας Galilee G1056
Γαλιλαίας Galilee
Strong's: G1056
Word #: 11 of 20
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
ἐθεάσαντο and beheld G2300
ἐθεάσαντο and beheld
Strong's: G2300
Word #: 12 of 20
to look closely at, i.e., (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημεῖον the sepulchre G3419
μνημεῖον the sepulchre
Strong's: G3419
Word #: 14 of 20
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς how G5613
ὡς how
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 16 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐτέθη was laid G5087
ἐτέθη was laid
Strong's: G5087
Word #: 17 of 20
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα body G4983
σῶμα body
Strong's: G4983
Word #: 19 of 20
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
αὐτοῦ his G846
αὐτοῦ his
Strong's: G846
Word #: 20 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis & Commentary

The women watch: 'And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.' After Jesus' burial, 'the women... which came with him from Galilee' (αἱ γυναῖκες... συνακολουθήσασαι ἐκ τῆς Γαλιλαίας αὐτῷ, hai gynaikes... synakolouthēsasai ek tēs Galilaias autō) 'followed after' (κατακολουθήσασαι, katakolouthēsasai). They 'beheld the sepulchre' (ἐθεάσαντο τὸ μνημεῖον, etheasanto to mnēmeion) 'and how his body was laid' (καὶ ὡς ἐτέθη τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, kai hōs etethē to sōma autou). These faithful women who supported Jesus' ministry remained to the end, observing burial location and procedure so they could return to anoint His body after Sabbath. Their devotion contrasts with male disciples' abandonment. Their witness establishes burial location, preventing later claims Jesus never actually died or was buried elsewhere.

Historical Context

These women (identified in v. 49 and 24:10 as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others) demonstrated remarkable courage and devotion. While male disciples fled and hid, women remained at the cross (23:49), observed the burial (23:55), and would be first at the tomb (24:1). Their presence fulfills multiple purposes:

  1. witnesses to Jesus' actual death and burial
  2. preparation to anoint the body (24:1)
  3. first witnesses to resurrection (24:2-8).

In a culture where women's testimony wasn't valued legally, God chose women as primary resurrection witnesses—a detail no inventor would include if fabricating the story. This honors women's faith and highlights God's counter-cultural kingdom values.

Questions for Reflection