Luke 24 22

Luke 24:22 kjv

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

Luke 24:22 nkjv

Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.

Luke 24:22 niv

In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning

Luke 24:22 esv

Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,

Luke 24:22 nlt

"Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report.

Luke 24 verses

Luke 24 22 Meaning

This verse conveys the two disciples on the road to Emmaus relating the surprising and bewildering news they had received concerning Jesus' tomb. They recount that certain women, known to their circle of followers, had visited the tomb early that morning. The women's report of finding the tomb empty and experiencing visions of angels who declared Jesus alive profoundly astonished and perplexed the disciples. It expresses their current state of confusion and disbelief, prior to their recognition of the risen Christ.

Luke 24 22 Context

Luke 24:22 occurs within the narrative of the Emmaus Road encounter (Lk 24:13-35). Two disciples, Cleopas and another (unnamed), are traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, discussing the recent events of Jesus' crucifixion and the perplexing news surrounding his empty tomb. This verse represents their attempt to articulate the "news" they had just received from the women earlier that day. It immediately follows their lamentation over Jesus' death and their dashed hopes, expressing their profound confusion before they recognized Jesus himself, who joined them on the road. The historical-cultural context of first-century Judea meant that the testimony of women was often not admissible in court and generally held less weight than that of men, which likely contributed to the disciples' initial skepticism reported in verse 11. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' instruction regarding the Scriptures and his eventual revelation.

Luke 24 22 Word analysis

• Indeed (ἀλλὰ καί, alla kai): This is a strong Greek particle, often translated as "but also" or "even." Here, it serves as an emphatic transition, emphasizing that despite their initial understanding or expectation, something profoundly surprising has occurred. It marks a shift to new, astonishing information.
• some women (γυναῖκές τινες, gynaikes tines): This phrase highlights the gender of the witnesses. In the Jewish legal and social context of the time, women's testimony was generally regarded as unreliable or legally inadmissible. This societal perception underlies the disciples' difficulty in believing their report. Luke often elevates the role of women, making their initial witness significant in his narrative.
• from our group (ἐξ ἡμῶν, ex hēmōn): This clarifies that these women were not strangers, but part of Jesus' inner circle of followers. This adds a layer of intimacy and credibility, making their astounding report even harder for the disciples to dismiss outright, even if they struggled to believe it. It points to a community of disciples who shared in these experiences.
• astounded us (ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, exestēsan hēmas): The Greek verb existēmi (from which this is derived) means "to be amazed, stand out, beside oneself, to be out of one's mind with wonder or astonishment." It indicates a state of utter shock, bewilderment, and perhaps even disbelief. It implies the news was so unexpected and extraordinary that it profoundly disoriented their understanding.
• They were at the tomb early this morning (γενόμεναι ὀρθριναὶ ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, genomenai orthrinai epi to mnēmeion): This phrase establishes the specific time and location of the women's experience.
  • γενόμεναι (genomenai): A participle from ginomai, "having become" or "having been." It signifies their arrival and presence at the tomb.
  • ὀρθριναὶ (orthrinai): Means "early in the morning," at dawn or daybreak. This precise detail is consistent with other Gospel accounts (e.g., Lk 24:1).
  • ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον (epi to mnēmeion): "at/to the tomb." Clearly states their destination. The Greek word mnēmeion refers to a memorial or tomb, typically a cave or rock-hewn chamber.
  This specificity gives factual grounding to their incredible report.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Indeed, some women from our group astounded us.": This phrase highlights the startling nature of the report, stemming from a seemingly unlikely source (women) who were nevertheless trusted members of their community. The astonishment reflects the overwhelming impact of the news which contradicted their established expectations following Jesus' death. It underscores the profound psychological and theological challenge this testimony presented to the grieving disciples.
• "They were at the tomb early this morning,": This provides the foundational, verifiable circumstance that initiated the perplexing sequence of events. The detail of the time—"early this morning"—reinforces the immediacy and freshness of the women's account, grounding the extraordinary claim within a tangible timeframe. This factual anchoring contrasts sharply with the "nonsense" (v. 11) with which the men initially dismissed the angelic proclamation, setting up the disciples' internal conflict between observed fact and incredible revelation.

Luke 24 22 Bonus section

This verse subtly showcases Luke's distinctive emphasis on the role of women in the Christian narrative. Unlike other ancient writers, Luke consistently gives prominence to women, presenting them as faithful disciples and crucial witnesses to the life, death, and especially the resurrection of Jesus (e.g., Lk 8:1-3; Acts 1:14). Here, their early witness, despite being doubted, forms the first concrete data point on the road to acknowledging the resurrection for the male disciples. The "astounding" nature of the report also hints at the almost unbelievable quality of the resurrection itself – a miracle that stretched the limits of human comprehension, necessitating divine intervention to confirm its truth. The fact that the news came from "their group" suggests an internal challenge within the community, setting the stage for unity of belief despite initial division and doubt.

Luke 24 22 Commentary

Luke 24:22 serves as a pivotal point in the Emmaus narrative, embodying the disciples' initial struggle with the resurrection message. The women, who held less social standing and therefore whose testimony was often dismissed in that culture, become the first bearers of this monumental truth. The disciples' recounting of this "astonishing" news highlights their profound confusion and the human tendency to doubt even well-sourced reports when they defy personal expectations and logical understanding. Their initial disbelief sets a stage where only a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ can fully transform their perception and restore their hope. The verse underscores the tension between human skepticism and divine revelation, preparing the reader for Jesus' role in opening their understanding.