Luke 24:4
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish thought, angels served as God's messengers and frequently appeared at pivotal salvation-history moments—announcing Isaac's birth (Genesis 18), delivering the Law (Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19), announcing Jesus' birth (Luke 1:26-38, 2:9-14). Their appearance at the empty tomb places resurrection among history's most significant divine interventions.
The women came expecting to complete burial rites, bringing spices prepared before Sabbath (Luke 23:56). Finding the stone rolled away and tomb empty would have been shocking and confusing. Ancient tombs often had antechambers where mourners might linger; the angels apparently stood in this space. The women's perplexity was natural—resurrection wasn't expected despite Jesus' predictions. Jewish resurrection theology anticipated general resurrection at history's end, not an individual rising on the third day.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God meet our confusion about spiritual realities with divine revelation rather than leaving us perplexed?
- What significance does the presence of two angelic witnesses hold for establishing resurrection truth?
- How do the shining garments connect resurrection to other moments of divine glory in Scripture?
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Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. The women's perplexity (Greek diaporeō, διαπορέω) means to be thoroughly puzzled, at a complete loss—they expected a corpse but found an empty tomb. The phrase "it came to pass" (egeneto, ἐγένετο) introduces divine intervention into their confusion. The sudden appearance (idou, ἰδού, "behold") of two men in shining garments (andres dyo en esthēti astraptousē, ἄνδρες δύο ἐν ἐσθῆτι ἀστραπτούσῃ) signals heavenly messengers—angels appearing in human form, their radiant clothing reflecting God's glory.
The number two establishes legal testimony (Deuteronomy 19:15)—resurrection truth comes with double witness. Luke's restraint in calling them "men" rather than immediately identifying them as angels reflects the women's initial perception, though verse 23 clarifies they were angels. Their shining garments (astraptousē, ἀστραπτούσῃ, "flashing like lightning") echo the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29) and anticipate Christ's return (Luke 17:24), connecting resurrection to divine glory.
This angelic appearance transforms confusion into revelation. The empty tomb alone might perplex, but divine messengers will explain it (verses 5-7). God graciously meets seeking hearts with understanding, never leaving His people in bewilderment about saving truth.