Luke 24:5
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Original Language Analysis
γενομένων
as
G1096
γενομένων
as
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
αὐτάς
them
G846
αὐτάς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κλινουσῶν
bowed down
G2827
κλινουσῶν
bowed down
Strong's:
G2827
Word #:
6 of 21
to slant or slope, i.e., incline or recline (literally or figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρόσωπον
their faces
G4383
πρόσωπον
their faces
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
8 of 21
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆν
the earth
G1093
γῆν
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
11 of 21
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 21
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτάς
them
G846
αὐτάς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 21
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
Τί
Why
G5101
Τί
Why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
15 of 21
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ζητεῖτε
seek ye
G2212
ζητεῖτε
seek ye
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
16 of 21
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετὰ
among
G3326
μετὰ
among
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Cross References
Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Revelation 2:8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;Daniel 10:16And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.Hebrews 7:8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.Daniel 10:19And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.Luke 1:29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Historical Context
Women came to the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week (Sunday, v.1) to complete burial rites interrupted by Sabbath. Jewish burial involved washing the body and applying spices and ointments. Finding the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, they encountered 'two men in shining garments' (v.4)—angels in human form (cf. Luke 1:26, Acts 1:10). The resurrection on the third day fulfilled Jesus' predictions (Luke 9:22, 18:33) and established Sunday as the Christian day of worship. Early Christian preaching centered on the resurrection (Acts 2:24, 4:33, 17:31).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the question about seeking the living among the dead challenge wrong expectations about where to find Jesus today?
- What difference does the bodily resurrection make to Christian faith, hope, and ethics?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The angels ask: 'Why seek ye the living among the dead?' (τί ζητεῖτε τὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τῶν νεκρῶν;). This rhetorical question rebukes the women's expectation to find Jesus' corpse and announces the resurrection. The present participle 'zōnta' (ζῶντα, the living one) contrasts with 'nekrōn' (νεκρῶν, the dead)—Jesus is not merely resurrected but is Life itself. The question implies the resurrection should not surprise those who heard Jesus' predictions (vv.6-7). The empty tomb and angelic announcement become the first gospel proclamation: He is risen. This transforms Christianity from philosophy or ethics into historical, bodily resurrection.