This verse, Luke 24:23, is a key part of the account of the empty tomb and the subsequent resurrection of Jesus. Let's break down its meaning:
"and when they didn't find his body...": This refers to the women who went to Jesus' tomb on the Sunday after his crucifixion. Their primary purpose was to anoint his body with spices, a customary Jewish burial practice. However, they discovered the tomb was empty.
"...they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels...": This is the crucial element. The women weren't just reporting an empty tomb; they also claimed to have experienced a supernatural encounter – a vision of angels. In Jewish thought, angels were messengers from God.
"...who said that he was alive.": This is the core message of the angel's vision. They declared that Jesus was no longer dead but alive. This is the first proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus.
In Summary:
This verse reports that the women, instead of finding Jesus' body, encountered angels who declared that Jesus was alive. This verse introduces the foundational claim of Christianity: that Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
Significance:
Initial Testimony: The women were the first to report the resurrection, even though their testimony was initially doubted by the disciples (Luke 24:11).
Supernatural Element: The verse emphasizes the supernatural nature of the event, as it includes a vision of angels delivering a message from God.
Foundation of Christian Belief: This verse highlights the central belief that Jesus conquered death and is alive, a cornerstone of Christian faith and hope.
Historical Context: It's important to consider the verse within the historical and cultural context. The role and testimony of women in first-century Jewish society was different than today, which can explain why the disciples didn't believe them initially.
In essence, Luke 24:23 is a pivotal verse, reporting the supernatural announcement of Jesus' resurrection by angels, marking the beginning of the Christian narrative of Jesus' triumph over death.
This verse, Luke 24:23, is a key part of the account of the empty tomb and the subsequent resurrection of Jesus. Let's break down its meaning:
"and when they didn't find his body...": This refers to the women who went to Jesus' tomb on the Sunday after his crucifixion. Their primary purpose was to anoint his body with spices, a customary Jewish burial practice. However, they discovered the tomb was empty.
"...they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels...": This is the crucial element. The women weren't just reporting an empty tomb; they also claimed to have experienced a supernatural encounter – a vision of angels. In Jewish thought, angels were messengers from God.
"...who said that he was alive.": This is the core message of the angel's vision. They declared that Jesus was no longer dead but alive. This is the first proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus.
In Summary:
This verse reports that the women, instead of finding Jesus' body, encountered angels who declared that Jesus was alive. This verse introduces the foundational claim of Christianity: that Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
Significance:
Initial Testimony: The women were the first to report the resurrection, even though their testimony was initially doubted by the disciples (Luke 24:11).
Supernatural Element: The verse emphasizes the supernatural nature of the event, as it includes a vision of angels delivering a message from God.
Foundation of Christian Belief: This verse highlights the central belief that Jesus conquered death and is alive, a cornerstone of Christian faith and hope.
Historical Context: It's important to consider the verse within the historical and cultural context. The role and testimony of women in first-century Jewish society was different than today, which can explain why the disciples didn't believe them initially.
In essence, Luke 24:23 is a pivotal verse, reporting the supernatural announcement of Jesus' resurrection by angels, marking the beginning of the Christian narrative of Jesus' triumph over death.